Prevent Distracted Driving, Get a Free BlackBerry in the Process

We can all agree that distracted driving is bad, though there's little consensus on how to mitigate the problem. One approach is to prevent drivers from using their cell phones while operating a moving vehicle, as you can see demonstrated in the video, below.

If you'd like to climb onto that particular bandwagon, I've got some killer news for you: Not only does ZoomSafer promise to prevent distracted driving, but you can get a free BlackBerry equipped with ZoomSafer as well thanks to a partnership with mobile phone retailer Wirefly.

ZoomSafer automatically detects when your car is in motion and locks the phone's screen and keypad, which prevents you from checking for mail or sending messages. It also can be set to auto-respond to incoming messages ("I'm on the road and will reply later") and simplify hands-free call reception by announcing who is calling you.

If this sounds awesome to you, it gets better: ZoomSafer has teamed up with Wirefly to furnish ZoomSafer-supported BlackBerry smartphones for free, with the purchase of select service plans.

ZoomSafer is an interesting idea, but I bristle at some of the more egregious features. When you make a call, it can be set to play a short message reminding you to drive safely, for example. Worse, I just can't wrap my head around why I would willingly install or use an app that took features away from me -- in this case, blanking the screen so I couldn't, say, scan an e-mail while stopped at a traffic light.

I am against this sort of thing on principle -- singling out cell phone use while turning a blind eye towards all the other routine examples of distracted driving is, to me, ludicrous. Agree? Disagree? Either way, you can read more about (what I consider to be) this sort of arbitrary nannyism.