Getting a txt message while driving is a nuisance and a danger, putting the driver at a greater risk than just getting a voice call. Yet some drivers insist on reading the text and replying. It would be good to disable sms txt to my phone while I am driving. I could call a number to disable and enable the service at my convenience. Anyone who tried to send a txt would be told the service was unavailabe and to make a voice call instead. Sure I could turn the phone off or just ignore the message but this would keep a safe com channel open for the important things.
-- Iridium7, Oct 18 2007

Using your phone for anything whilst driving, texting or making a phone call, is illegal in the UK.
-- theleopard, Oct 18 2007


Hopefully that will be the law here before long. But at the moment there are no restricions on cell phone useage in NZ
-- Iridium7, Oct 18 2007


It's better to ignore your phone. I would hate to be in a situation where I can't get a message because I am standing near your car in a parking lot.
-- Jscotty, Oct 18 2007


I guess the phone in car issue was a red herring. There are times when recieving a txt message can be a nuisance and a danger, not just to do with cars. Another angle is sometimes it can be half an our from the time I send a txt to the time it gets to the other phone. And other times when you have only one hand free, If a txt message arrives, I cant read it let alone answer it, . I say let the caller get frustrated. Let me turn off the txt function to my phone at the phone company for as long as I like, and give a message to the caller that they should phone and talk to me instead of txting
-- Iridium7, Oct 20 2007


You are aware there is an "e" in the word "text?" How many milliseconds have you saved by skipping them?

For me, I bun this idea. [Jscotty]'s concern over possible halo effects for otherwise innocent passersby notwithstanding, anything that demands that the driver pay more attention to the actual business of driving is a good thing.

Next step in that parade: banning BMW's iDrive.
-- elhigh, Oct 23 2007


but if you set the alert type to "silent" when driving you've baked this idea. or alternatively you could use self-control *shock* and just not check your text messages while driving.
-- k_sra, Oct 23 2007


so, how about self-control then? got a snappy comeback for why self-control has to be overcome with gadgets?
-- k_sra, Oct 23 2007


if it's a phone call you want, but not the text, invest in a decent headset. can't read a text by ear.
-- k_sra, Oct 23 2007


maybe it's complete and total blather, [sparkles], i don't know. it's happened before. i still cannot find even one kernel of a part of this idea that cannot be solved in a much simpler manner than phoning up an outside service to disable text messages while you are in the car. (you will more than likely forget to un-disable and not get text messages for days).
-- k_sra, Oct 23 2007


//I dunno what kind of cellphone you've got Iridium7//

21 Basic pre-paid on local telecom net-work. The idea is to prevent text messages ever being sent to the phone in the first place, not what you do once you get them. Might work to stop txt bullying too.
-- Iridium7, Oct 24 2007


You guys have suggested solutions that require effort on the part of the user. That is well and good, but I don't think it really addresses the lackadaisical approach to life of the average consumer.

I've noticed that a comment theme among 1/2bakers is that we're willing to take a couple of seconds out of our days to improve efficiency down the road, or safety, or what have you. Is that a characteristic you find common among the general public? Methinks not. While the practical, widely-known-to-exist solutions are perfectly viable for those of us willing to use them - my phone lives permanently in "manner mode," for instance - I get the feeling that this is the kind of thing for people who just can't be bothered to actually watch out for themselves.

And in a moment of Darwinian pragmatism, I am suddenly inclined to bone the idea.
-- elhigh, Oct 24 2007


Disappointed. Would love to have a total way to disable text service on my mobile; forever. And bounce texts back as refused. Want to contact me; phone me, that's why I have a phone.
-- vincevincevince, Oct 24 2007



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