If you’ve been reading our blogs, you probably know our feelings about texting while driving. According to www.textinganddrivingsafety.com, in 2011, 23% of car crashes involved cell phones, and the number has only increased since then. So, if you don’t know how we feel on the topic, to put it simply, we hate texting and driving.

We know how hard it is to not look at or answer your phone the second you hear the sound that signifies a new message. It’s hard for us too, but with 11 teen deaths occurring every day because people can’t stay off their cell phones (according to forbes.com), something has to be done.

And now, there’s an app for that. Since it’s so tempting to look at your phone the second you receive a message, and since none of us want our friends to think we’re rude for not responding right away, a (semi) new app called Free Safe Text takes care of all of those problems. It allows you to put up a sort of “away message” when you’re unavailable. It won’t show you any messages you receive until you’ve turned the app off off, and it sends an automatic reply back to whoever it was that texted you. You can create your own reply message or use one of their pre-written choices. And not only can you use this to help with texting and driving, you can let your friends know anytime you are unavailable and away from your phone.

Check out this news story from www.nbcnews.com about this great (and free) new app.

It’s no surprise that texting while driving is a major cause of auto accidents. In fact, according to Forbes.com, texting while driving causes 11 teen deaths every day, 25% of all accidents per year, and is 6 times more dangerous than driving intoxicated. The statistics are staggering and we all know how dangerous it is, yet it seems as though everyone is still doing it.

Texting while driving is no joke, but of course, like most things in life, comedian and SafeAuto Insurance spokesman, Norm Macdonald, puts a comical spin on the very serious matter by making what is possibly the most random (and funny) comparison to texting and driving that we could ever think of.

If you’re curious as to what this laughable (and somewhat ridiculous) comparison is, watch the latest Street Smarts video and visit www.safeauto.com for a free auto insurance quote! And of course, be safe and please put your phone away while driving!