Locking Down the Cell in Roanoke

Roanoke company, ORIGO, has introduced a technology that can end hand-held cell phone use while driving, addressing a leading national public safety problem. ORIGOSafe is a new ignition interlock system that requires drivers to secure their phone in a docking station before their vehicle can start. This prevents motorists from holding their phones to talk or text while behind the wheel.

Says Clay Skelton, ORIGO’s founder, “By taking the phone out of the driver’s hands – but not preventing making and receiving calls – ORIGO can reduce accidents, increase safety and improve the performance of drivers, particularly young drivers. It takes away the temptation to reach for the phone while driving.”

The statistics tell of a tragic problem:

 Teen driving deaths are up 19 percent in the first half of 2012; texting while driving causes 11 teen deaths every day;   16 percent of all drivers under 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported to have been distracted while driving; motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens in the United States’ 97 percent of teens in a survey say texting while driving is highly dangerous, yet 75 percent of them say it’s common among their peers; more than 25 percent of teens say they read or send at least one text every time they drive.

And it’s not just a young driver problem. Many adults are involved, as well.

A study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that “Talking or listening on a cell phone … did not statistically increase crash risk.  Dialing, reaching, and other intensive visual-manual cell phone sub-tasks did.” That’s why ORIGO allows drivers to stay connected hands-free through Bluetooth and other technologies, yet takes the phone completely out of the driver’s hands.

ORIGOSafe is easily installed in any type of vehicle, and is a fully integrated device that supports the top-selling smart phone models. There’s no software to buy or maintain, and no need to wonder if it’s working.  

ORIGO also comes in a version to improve safety among commercial drivers. The ORIGOSafe Commercial has a module called ORIGOCommand, an iPad-based fleet management package with a central database for administrators to manage multiple fleets at multiple locations and restrict truck usage to an easily manageable list of authorized drivers.