Apple files a new patent to limit the number of notifications you get while driving

Though Apple Watch does make it truly easy and convenient to reply to those 'important messages' without using your smartphone but the same behaviour could prove fatal if one is driving. And Apple understands these ways of life and technology.

To fix the crisis, Apple has filed a new patent labelled 'Detecting Controllers in Vehicles Using Wearable Devices' to ensure your safety by reducing the number of notifications sent to you when you are on 'driving mode.'

Basically, Apple will use the built-in motion detection in a device to determine if the wearer is driving a vehicle, and if they are, the wearable will automatically limit the number of notifications it receives.

Motion sensors provide data that the system can use to determine the device's angular velocity. If it's below a certain threshold, the wearable will work in normal mode. If it's above that threshold, it will then estimate the direction of gravity, as well as predict the direction of gravity from a companion device. Then it will determine if the angular velocity can be attributed to turning a vehicle steering wheel, and if it can be, it will then limit the notifications sent to that device.

The new patent might give less reasons to check the smartphone, ensuring drivers safety. According to the US government estimates as many as 431,000 people were injured and 3,179 were killed in 2014 alone due to distracted driving.

If the Apple patent is approved, and if it ever sees the light of the day, it could save many precious lives from mishaps.