SAFETY SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PARTIAL DEACTIVATION OF A PERSONAL COMMUNICATION DEVICE WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION

A method of partial deactivation of a personal communication device in a vehicle when the vehicle is in motion including receiving, by the personal communication device, velocity information of the vehicle, determining, by the personal communication device, whether the vehicle is in motion from the velocity information, and deactivating, by an application executing on the personal communication device, at least one function of the personal communication device when the vehicle is in motion. Deactivation may include any one or more of disabling a user interface, turning off a communication radio, muting a ringer, and activating a power saving mode. A safety system for partial deactivation of the personal communication device while a vehicle is in motion. A diagnostic audio bridge retrieves and sends velocity information. The device executes activation control code which deactivates at least one function of the personal communication device when the vehicle is in motion.