If a school bus moves at a speed of higher than 5 kilometers per hour, the GPS mounted on the bus automatically disables most of the driver’s smartphone functions. (Yonhap News TV)
CHUNCHEON, May 4 (Korea Bizwire) — The Gangwon Provincial Office of Education of Education said on Monday that it will start a pilot project for a new system designed to prevent the use of smartphones for drivers of school buses as part of efforts to protect the safety of children.
Under this system, if a school bus moves at a speed of higher than 5 kilometers per hour, the GPS mounted on the bus automatically disables most of the driver’s smartphone functions.
Excluding the function of receiving phone calls, other smartphone functions, including making phone calls, sending messages, viewing videos and playing games cannot be used.
Such smartphone functions are made available only 30 seconds after the bus stops.
The educational authorities completed the installation of the system on a total of 13 school buses operated by nine kindergartens and schools within the province.
After operating and collecting opinions about the system over the next eight months until the end of the year, the education office will review the idea of expanding the project.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
