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Tech Report: A Solution To Temptation Of Texting While Driving

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— While it's illegal to text while driving in California, some people just can't resist the urge to pick up the phone after it chimes. Now there's an app that can help in that situation.

The danger of texting and driving is obvious because of how distracting it can be. There have been studies that show your ability to react to an emergency is incredibly hampered if you're looking at your screen or texting with your fingers. Some have even suggested that it's just as dangerous as if you're driving drunk

A lot of us are very tempted to respond to our phone while we are driving. So if we could find a way to not be distracted by it, not get texts, maybe not even get phone calls; that could be a way of keeping us from having a serious accident. Still, some feel compelled to respond immediately to texts even saying it's rude if you don't.

There are some apps out there that will actually send a note to the person that texted you saying that you're driving and that you'll get back to them after you've parked the car.

AT&T, for example, has an app that's called 'Drive Mode', which is free. After you download and activate it, it silences notifications of incoming text messages so you're not even aware that you're getting a text. In addition the person texting you in fact will get a message replying that you're driving and can't respond.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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