Integrating technology into automobiles has always been risky business, from the first radio install to current-day touch screen dashboards. Looking to keep roadways safe, new road signs will detect drivers using smartphones to give them fair warning.

Sussex Safer Roads Partnership (SSRP), a local government initiative in Sussex England that focuses on road safety, has invested on the distribution of Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) to crackdown mobile phone use while driving.

If you are not familiar with VAS, these are traffic signs that deliver information to motorists as they approach. The information varies depending on the purpose of the sign, some deliver information on speed limit, or to warn them about road conditions.

For this initiative, SSRP will be deploying a VAS system able to detect mobile phone use within vehicles. When they pass, the sign will put up a message reminding drivers that mobile use while driving is against the law. The initiative will initially be rolled out in Brighton and Hove City Council. It was not discussed what technology is being implemented to detect mobile use of incoming vehicles.

Unlike speed cameras, no photo of the violating driver will be taken and no action will be implemented. It will be a mere reminder for drivers that unless they want to get fined or even go to court, they should stop using their mobile device while driving.

For drivers in England caught using a mobile phone while driving, the fine is three penalty points on the license and a fine of £100 (about $151). The only time drivers can use mobile devices while inside the vehicle is when safely parked. Use of hand-free devices is allowed, but if an officer deems the driver is distracted due to use of said device, a driver may still get fined. It should also be noted that offending parties could go to court and be fined to up to £1,000 depending on the severity of the violation, and the fine increases for commercial drivers.

The implementation of this type of warning may have been based on a study published by TRL in 2003 regarding the effectivity of VAS. The study concluded that VAS used to notify drivers to reduce speed has been effective, “particularly those of the faster drivers who contribute disproportionately to the accident risk, without the need for enforcement such as safety cameras,” and noted that in this study, “a substantial accident reduction has been demonstrated.”

Despite being illegal in Sussex since the early 2000s, drivers still engage in such activities, as revealed by a survey conducted by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). The survey questioned 500 people and it revealed that 18 percent accessed the internet, eight percent used a communications video tool such as FaceTime or Skype to make or receive video calls, seven percent used their mobile device to catch up on TV programs, and nine percent admitted taking a selfie while driving. It was also determined that majority offending parties fall in the 25-35 age category.

“Although it can be tempting to quickly check your mobile, it is essential that drivers keep their eyes on the road at all times,” John O’Roarke, managing director of LV Car Insurance, said. “There can be enough surprises without the additional distraction of a mobile phone, and drivers need to be ready to react, to help improve safety for themselves and other drivers.”

Going state side

In the U.S., the law and repercussions when get caught using your mobile device while driving may vary by state and city, but that doesn’t mean such efforts should be neglected. In 2011, the National Transportation Safety Board stated that texting while driving was fast becoming the new DUI. Earlier this year, AAA released the results of a study that determined that distracted driving is the number one cause of road accidents, and mobile use falls in this category. As most public service announcements portray, it only takes a second for your whole life to change.

The great news is, SSRP isn’t the only one looking to keep drivers safe.

Ways to keep drivers safe

Download these apps

There are now apps that will keep people from using their mobile device while driving. AT&T, Inc. offers DriveMode, an app available for iOS and Android that is automatically activated when the vehicle starts moving. It silences text alerts and automatically replies that you are driving, as well as a one-touch music access option and navigation. Parents will get alerted if a teen driver turns off the app, or if Auto Mode is disabled.

Other apps that work similarly include The Canary Project, DriveSafe.ly and TextBuster. Read more about how these apps work here.

Eliminate distractions

If apps won’t prevent drivers from accessing their mobile device, then Cellcontrol might do the trick. The device has a feature that blocks all access to texting, calling, accessing social media, taking a selfie, playing mobile games and other activities on mobile and only allow certain activities, such as dialing when in an emergency, while in the drive zone. It’s like a kill switch for your mobile device while driving.

Remember the golden rule

If it is not an emergency, refrain from using your mobile device. If you really need to use it, get to the side of the road, stop the vehicle and use your device so as not to cause any accidents on the road. Whatever your friend posted on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram can wait.

Photo by Lord Jim