Rhode Island may enlist some high-tech help in the fight against texting while driving: a device that jams most cell phone capabilities when a vehicle’s engine is running, The Associated Press reports.
A state lawmaker has proposed legislation to require those caught texting while driving to install such a device.
The equipment is wired to a vehicle’s engine and alerts the driver’s cell phone when the engine is on. Software installed on the phone then disables texting or email capabilities. Phones without the software aren’t affected.
Several companies manufacture the technology. Rhode Island would be the first state to require its use for those found in violation of a texting-while-driving ban. A House committee plans to review the proposal Wednesday.
