A new iPhone and Blackberry application built by a Montreal company is aiming to keep drivers from being distracted while texting and driving.
Called Text n' Drive, the app converts text into sound and voice into text, allowing drivers to remain hands-free and keep their eyes on the road, instead of their phones.
Priced at $19.95, it has sold thousands in its first day of sales.
"The technology gives you the opportunity to keep driving. A customer sends you an e-mail and you're gonna know about without even looking at your phone," explained software developer Mathew Rene.
Texting behind the wheel is an illegal act in Quebec, and studies have shown drivers are 23 times more likely to have an accident when performing the dangerous activity.
While police admit the Text n' Drive application is better than texting and driving, they still suggest ignoring the phone altogether while behind the wheel.
"What about your concentration? You will be distracted because you will hear a message, you will send a message. You'll be concentrated on that message," said Montreal police spokesperson Nathalie Valois.
"The only thing that you should do when you drive is concentrate on your driving," she said.
