Tech Minute: Tips To Avoid Distracted Driving

SAN FRANCISCO (CNET) ― We all know it's not safe to talk on your phone or text while driving. Most of us want to do the right thing but our discipline can be weak when there are calls and messages coming in.

So today you can find little hardware devices or software to put on your phone that do the same thing: recognize when the phone is in a moving car and prevent it from receiving calls, e-mails and texts. Some devices will automatically reply to the senders and callers saying, "I'm driving right now, I'll get back with you shortly."

If, however, you feel you need to stay on top of your texts and e-mails in some way while driving, there are programs that can read the messages to you and let you reply back with simple canned responses. When you get to your destination, you can really pay more attention to them and do a more detailed reply.

And if you're in the market for a new car, check out systems like Kia and Ford that will also read texts to you, but also let you voice command the car stereo and navigation system; all without taking your eyes off the road and fiddling with lots of buttons.

The safest way to be in your car with a phone is to put it down and not pay attention to it. But let's face it, we're all human. With some of these technologies, you can at least be a safer one.

For more information, click here.