Apps target distracted drivers

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - When it comes to learning the techniques of driving, there is a lot to remember. As Norfolk Academy 's driving instructor, it's Ray Bousman's job to make sure his students get it all.

Bousman knows the dangers of the road. In fact, he spent more than 20 years as a Virginia Beach police officer. His biggest challenge today is technology and teaching his students how to avoid its deadly distractions.

"The cell phone is probably the biggest problem. It's almost epidemic today," Bousman said.

Students tend to agree. Norfolk Academy senior, Sydney Davis said, "I'm one of those people that is hooked to their phones. So when I get a ding or a call I'm more than tempted to look at to see who it is or see who's calling." Sydney continued, "I've done it before, I've texted, I've tried my best not to."

Like Sydney, most of us with phones can admit to having texted while behind the wheel. The recent trend is the reason for the new app, iZUP. The app detects when your car starts moving, and it reacts by blocking phone calls and text messages, with the exception of some vital contacts and, of course, emergencies.

But let's say you still want to know when you've got a message, well there's another option for you called Drivesafe.ly .

Heath Ahrens, the developer of iSpeech , explains how the app works: "Drivesafe.ly reads out text messages and email in real time as they arrive on mobile devices, and the next version coming out allows people to respond by voice."

It's almost like having a passenger in your car reading your messages to you.

Still, Bousman says the biggest lesson in safe driving has to come from home. "It has to start with the parents and setting a good behavior. It's difficult to do, I know, because cell phones are so prevalent and they're just out there," he added.

At the end of the day, Bousman said he wants his students to drive away remembering, "They need not forget responsibility. And when they drive a car they're ultimately responsible. That every time they get behind the wheel of a car, they're taking a chance with their lives, and texting while driving increases the chance of something bad happening."

To learn more about iZUP click here .

If you'd like to try out Drivesafe.ly click here .