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TextNinja hopes to stop you texting while driving

Texting while driving a car is a very bad idea. Thankfully, TextNinja is a way to help wean you off the potentially lethal habit.

According to the people behind it, the main cause of people checking their phones while driving is Fomo – Fear of Missing Out. You hear a notification, and immediately want to know what’s going on – who’s contacted you? what do they want? etc.

TextNinja aims to break the habit. It consists of a small device you install in your car. Pair your phone to it via Bluetooth, and it silences notifications like text messages, sends an auto reply so you’re not tempted to reach for your phone, and earns you points for concentrating on the road. You only have to pair it once – every other time it’ll do it automatically, as long as your Bluteooth is switched on.

Read more: 5 secret Tesla Model S features to get excited about

As you earn more points, you’re granted different coloured belts as if you were learning a martial art. The ultimate goal is to become a Text Ninja black belt. The firm then says this will earn you discounts on your car insurance, though you’d have to speak to insurance companies to confirm this.

Some phones – like the Moto X – detect when you’re driving and switch to driving mode so you can use them handsfree, though they don’t have the gamification element. It’s raised $1,500 of a $5,000 target and still has 29 days to go. If successful, it’ll start shipping in March next year.

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