Illume Software to Offer iZUP for Free in Recognition of Distracted Driving Summit
App to prevent distracted driving will be available at no cost on Android, Blackberry app stores
NEWTON, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Illume Software, a pioneer in mobile safety solutions, today announced that it will offer its GPS-enabled distracted driving solution iZUP for free during the week of the 2nd Distracted Driving Summit in Washington, D.C. Consumers can download the app at no cost for use indefinitely from the Blackberry App World and Android Market beginning Monday, September 20th, through Sunday, September 26th, 2010. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Summit is slated for September 21st.
On average kids under 18 years old send 2,800 texts a month and 93 texts a day (Nielsen Company). One in three (34%) texting teens ages 16-17 said they had "texted while driving." At the same time nearly half (47%) of all texting adults say they have sent or read a text message while driving (Pew Research Center). Thirty states currently have laws that ban texting while driving.
“The 2nd Distracted Driving Summit hosted by Transportation Secretary LaHood is a significant effort to get to the bottom of the problem of distracted driving – not just for teens but for everyone,” said Dan Ross, CEO of Illume Software. “All of the research Illume has seen indicates that the best combination for drivers to combat texting while driving is insurance incentives, legislation, education and technology. Technology got us into this problem, and technology is the best hope to get us out.”
For parents, teen drivers, businesses, and anyone else on the roadways, iZUP offers a comprehensive, responsible driver safety solution. Recently awarded a “thumbs up” from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute, iZUP is the only solution that effectively eliminates all cell phone-related distractions for drivers: incoming calls, emails, voice-enabled tweets, and text messages. iZUP works by using a cell phone's GPS signal, together with the company’s server, to calculate speed and other critical conditions to determine if someone is driving. Once the vehicle reaches a configurable trigger speed—typically five miles per hour—iZUP automatically intervenes and incoming calls and text messages are managed intelligently until the driver can read and respond to them safely. During this time, iZUP also prevents outgoing communication and applications yet always allows emergency calls to 911 and communication between authorized numbers (e.g. parent or employer). iZUP provides real-time notification to parents or account holders of a 911 event.
iZUP is currently available on a variety of Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and Android handsets. iZUP pricing is regularly $2.95 for a single user, annually $19.95; family plan, $5.95 monthly and $59.95 annually.
To learn more, visit: www.getizup.com.
About Illume Software
With headquarters in the Boston area, Illume Software is led by experienced mobile, telecom, internet, and media veterans and boasts boards of prominent business, political, financial, and technology leaders. iZUP is the only solution that effectively eliminates all cell phone related distractions for drivers and is the first of many products to come from the company. iZUP recently received a “thumbs up” rating from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute. www.getizup.com
CONTACT:
PAN Communications
Ann Shannon, 978-474-1900
iZUP@pancomm.com
KEYWORDS: United States North America Massachusetts
INDUSTRY KEYWORDS: Women Technology Consumer Electronics Telecommunications Mobile/Wireless Automotive Aftermarket Parenting Consumer Family Men
MEDIA:
| Logo |
