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Safe driving automatic responder
A contextual responder that interacts with pre-determined groups (for instance, Facebook groups, or a group list on a phone) to determine the privacy level (how much information is shared) to automatically reply to a phone call, SMS, or any other means of communication during times of a need of high-concentration levels for the duration of a specific task.
For instance, when driving, one of a person's best friends calls them on their mobile/cellular phone, and the person is driving. The automatic responder can let the best friend know when the person will be available to respond.
The app on the phone can then detect via location (GPS) services when there is a period of time of non-inertia (for instance, detecting stop-lights, and also detecting approximately how long the non-inertia period of time will be according to stop-light sequence) to alert the driver when a message has been received without interrupting the driver.
Depending on the level of privacy set for each group or individual, an automated reply can be set explaining such known details as anything from the current location and time to reach destination, to a rounded up time to reach destination, to even simply a 'not available' reply.
A simple sound can alert the driver when someone has been trying to contact the driver during a period of time when less concentration is required (for instance, not while traversing a corner or turn, but rather on a straight leg of road with a safe distance between surrounding cars) so that the driver will know a message is waiting or even supply a voice command to the phone to determine if an automated reply should be sent at all.
The apps could interact on the cloud, or for people who prefer their privacy to be more isolated, could work on only localised information with minimal or no automation.
I have read about and even witnessed people talking on their mobile phone or even SMSing while driving. I believe this type of idea would save lives in many situations.
Adriaan Braam 20+
On the other hand, now we can already have our phone connected to the car, so when a call comes in, it takes the place of the radio and we can talk as if to someone sitting in the car. That, by itself, should not be regarded as too unsafe.
griffin tucker 10+
Talking to a passenger and talking on a hands-free kit are different in the way that a passenger sees the road ahead and can 'help' guide the driver with possible obstacles, distractions, and traffic by communicating on the subconscious level to the driver with eye movements and body-language.
If you were talking on a hands-free kit, the person on the other line only has an audio link, and can't physically see possible obstacles and distractions, and therefore the rate of traffic incidents is higher when on a phone than when a passenger is in the car, aside from the statistical anomaly of an argument or other type of 'shock' caused by communication with the passenger.
george lockwood 20+
griffin tucker 10+
I think I see your point though, that the very people who need this system most, are the very people who would avoid it.
Do you have any suggestions as to what would encourage these kind of people to use this idea, without using scare tactics?
Positive reinforcement always works better in the long run than negative fear-based reinforcement.
Feyisayo Anjorin 50+