Newark, N.J. (November 19, 2009) – DriveSafe.ly, the free mobile app aiming to stop distracted driving,
launched seven weeks ago and has been used by over one million people.
The app is reading millions of text messages (SMS) aloud per week to drivers around the world- keeping their eyes on the road.
"If your software [DriveSafe.ly] had been available in 2007, maybe my husband, Chuck would still be
here with me, and the texter would have made his ice hockey practice" says Weida Stoecker about
DriveSafe.ly. Stoecker lost her husband in a car accident caused by a teenager texting while driving. She continues, "I think our phone manufacturers and providers should require that DriveSafe.ly be preprogrammed on to all new phones effective immediately."
DriveSafe.ly, which was just yesterday nominated for the prestigious 2009 Mashable Open Web Award
for Best Mobile App, reads text messages and emails in real-time without any action from the user. The
latest version features a `Speed Activated’ feature which turns the app on automatically when driving
and off when exiting the vehicle, making it truly hands-free and easy for drivers.
"DriveSafe.ly is taking off because people want to stay connected while they drive, and do it in a safe
way" says Heath Ahrens, CEO of iSpeech and creator of DriveSafe.ly. "I recommend that everyone install
DriveSafe.ly, not because I work for the company behind it, but because I actually use it and it stops
texting while driving."
About DriveSafe.ly
The unprecedented DriveSafe.ly app reads text messages and emails aloud in real-time and
automatically responds without users touching their mobile phone. Developed by iSpeech.org founder,
Heath Ahrens, DriveSafe.ly utilizes iSpeech.org text to speech software as a service (SaaS) in hopes of
eliminating the danger created by the growing number of Americans who text while they drive. For
more information or to download the app please visit www.DriveSafe.ly.
About Weida Stoecker
Weida Stoecker is a well respected spokesperson against texting while driving, speaking for the AAA
Safety Foundation on the Today Show, Maryland Transportation Dept, Maryland Highway Safety
Foundation and Stevenson University. Since her husband’s untimely death caused by a texting teen
driver, she has put much of her time and energy in successfully advocating Maryland lawmakers to ban
texting while driving. Weida holds her masters degree in elementary education from George
Washington University and pursued a 30 year career in education, teaching special ed in the Baltimore
area.