Considering an estimated 28 percent of car accidents are caused by drivers distracted by cell phone calls or text messages, it’s not surprising that several companies have developed smartphone applications to block these distractions.  The potential savings in repairs, medical bills, and human life far outweigh the cost of even the most expensive of these applications.

State Farm Insurance recently announced that it released a free Android application called “On The Move” which automatically responds to incoming text messages so that users aren’t tempted to do so while driving.

“The new “On the Move” widget allows Android smartphone users to compose and preload customized messages that can be sent as automated responses to incoming text messages. With the service, instead of reading and responding to text messages while driving or otherwise occupied, smartphone users can activate the service and let the widget respond for them.”

Obviously, State Farm stands to save a lot of money if this application is successfully deployed and reduces auto insurance claims by even a fraction of a percent.  More importantly, the fact the application is free could encourage those that may not have otherwise done so to use it.