Researchers at the University of Utah invented a new type of automobile ignition key which blocks call functionality on teens’ mobile phones while they are driving. The device is called Key2SafeDriving and it uses Bluetooth connectivity to access the driver’s phone.

The new device was conceived by Xuesong Zhou, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineer and Wally Curry, a University of Utah graduate. Professor Zhou stressed that "the key to safe driving is to avoid distraction" and that the new type of key aims to prevent precisely these distractions in a “simple, cost-effective” way.

Key2SafeDriving is a device which encloses a car key. The system connects automatically to the driver’s mobile phone through Bluetooth or radio-frequency identification technology. Whenever the driver turns on the car, a signal is transmitted to his cell phone and it blocks its call and text messaging functionalities, while a “stop” icon is shown on the phone’s screen. Yet, the device permits drivers to make emergency calls while they are driving and it also acts as an answering machine while in “driving mode”, as all incoming calls and text messages are replied with a message saying: "I am driving now. I will call you later when I arrive at the destination safely."

Car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers across entire U.S and the fifth leading cause to all deaths in the country. It is expected that these kind of devices will be broadly used in the following years.