Arbella Makes Text Blocking Technology More Affordable for Drivers

Continuing its campaign to change the dangerous behavior of driving while distracted, the Arbella Insurance Foundation announced that it will make a state-of-the-art text-blocking technology solution more affordable to hundreds of drivers in an effort to curb multi-tasking at the wheel. Arbella made the announcement at the Massachusetts State House, during today’s Massachusetts Teen Distracted Driving Leadership Summit, attended by students from more than 30 high schools.

Arbella will subsidize the purchase of a Cellcontrol device (called a “Trigger”) and one year of enhanced monitoring service (retail price $125, price with Arbella discount $25*) for the first 700 people who sign up using a discount promo code. Promo codes can be obtained through designated independent agents, who can be found on Arbella.com by clicking on the “find a local independent agent” icon. These agents have agreed to donate their time to help promote this initiative on behalf of the Foundation. This offer is available to all members of the public, regardless of where they purchase auto insurance or who their insurer is.

“Sending a text message while driving increases the risk of a crash by 23 times, and more than 3,000 people are killed each year in crashes involving a distracted driver,” said John Donohue, chairman, president and CEO of the Arbella Insurance Group, and chairman and president of the Arbella Insurance Foundation. “The epidemic of distracted driving, particularly among teens, continues to worsen. Arbella believes strongly that using text-blocking technology is another important step toward helping drivers break the mobile phone addiction and keep their eyes on the road. We’re making this solution more affordable with the hope that it will help put an end to distracted driving tragedies in our communities.”

Cellcontrol’s award-winning technology eliminates the temptation to talk, text, email and surf the web while driving. The Trigger plugs into a car’s on-board-diagnostics (OBD) port and gives drivers the power to manage phone usage while the car is in motion. It disables texting while the car is in use and can also be programmed to block incoming and outgoing calls, apps, email and web browsing if desired.

Unlike other solutions, which only monitor the movement of the phone, Cellcontrol uses multiple data sources to completely prevent all phone use while the car is moving and the driver is driving. Since driver safety is of utmost concern, Cellcontrol always allows emergency numbers to remain active. Parents can also add approved numbers for teens to call behind the wheel. Moreover, if the device is removed or tampered with, parents will receive an email notification.

Cellcontrol is compatible with more than 2,000 mobile handsets, tablets and handheld computers across all leading domestic and international mobile service providers, and is available for vehicles of all sizes.

“We’re trying to make this as simple as possible for folks,” continued Donohue. “Drivers who purchase using the promo code will receive the Cellcontrol Trigger in the mail, then register their phone online and set their family usage policy. Finally, they’ll download the software and plug the Cellcontrol Trigger into the vehicle. No tools or training are needed.”

Arbella began its campaign against distracted driving in 2010, with the unveiling the state-of-the-art Distractology 101, an interactive program that educates new drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. The program’s centerpiece is a 36-foot-long, neon-yellow mobile classroom outfitted with high-tech driving simulators designed to give new drivers the chance to experience the perils of distracted driving, including texting while driving. To date, more than 4,000 new drivers (those who have been licensed less than three years or have a learner’s permit) have completed the Distractology 101 training. In 2012, 97 percent of students surveyed said the experience was effective or extremely effective, and 82 percent said they would recommend the experience to a friend.

To sign up for the $25* Cellcontrol package, contact a local Arbella agent, who will provide a special discount code to be entered at time of purchase. For a complete listing of agents by location, log on to www.arbella.com and click on the “find a local independent agent” icon.

*limited supply, $60 thereafter. Cellcontrol works with all Androids, BlackBerrys, and most Windows mobile phones. Cellcontrol plans to offer iPhone functionality in the near future.

Source: Arbella Insurance Group/Arbella Insurance Foundation