Scholastic Australia has been appointed distribution partner for Australian app manufacturer, Distractless.
The Queensland-based developer has created an app that disables a user’s smartphone while they are driving.
According to a company statement, the device comes as a small immobiliser installed under the vehicle dashboard by a licensed installer. It is then activated by a downloadable iPhone or Android smartphone app.
Once activated, the paired smartphone is barred from sending or receiving any form of digital data including phone calls, text messages, email, social media updates, and access to navigational maps. Should the device be disabled or tampered with in any way, a notification will be sent to a nominated third party, such as a parent, workplace, or insurer.
The app is targeted at parents of newly-licensed drivers, company fleets, insurers and government agencies. The service is available for a recommended retail price of $295.
Recent statistics from the Deloitte 2015 mobile customer survey reported that 42 per cent of 1600 Australian smartphone owners, between the ages of 18-75, admitted to using their mobile phone while driving.
Scholastic Australia is a wholly owned subsidiary of Scholastic corporation, the world’s largest publisher and distributor of children’s books, provider of print and digital instructional materials, and a producer of educational and entertaining children’s media.
The Australian arm has has extended its distribution reach to include technology products and accessories for major retail, commercial, Apple, telecommunications and education markets.
