Two Arkansas Men Create Website to Bust Distracted Drivers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -- A couple of guys from northwest Arkansas have developed a website designed to draw attention to, and bust, distracted drivers.

They catch them in the act, taking pictures or video, and uploading them to their website.

One of the guys, Brian Knoedl, says his friend Ryan Wilson came up with the idea for Textface.com. He says it's holding people accountable for their choices behind the wheel.

Knoeld points to his computer screen, "Look at what's going on in Northwest Arkansas, this is in every city, this is in every state."

He and Wilson launched Textface.com in October of last year.

"We hope that people say hey, you know, I'm glad you got me, I'm glad someone saw me, I really need to put my phone down," says Knoedl.

They upload pictures of people driving while distracted -- reading books, surfing the Internet, looking at directions, and the big one, texting.

"Everybody's against texting while driving until it comes to them texting," he says. "No one has balance when they text and drive, you're still distracted no matter what."

Anyone can upload pictures and videos to the website. It's not just the catching distracted drivers, it could be the person driving right next to you.

"There are eyes everywhere, everywhere."

The Textface crew uploads three minute videos every other week, showing people caught in the act, and their reactions when team member Angela Hines approaches them for an interview.

"I think it's super important that we let people know that it's a problem," says Hines, "and not only that it's a problem but people are watching."

"Eventually, people are gonna go, I've gotta quite texting or I'm gonna show up," adds Knoedl.

Hines also says since technology is booming, Textface.com is a great tool to spread the word about the dangers of distracted driving.

She says, "We have to be relevant, and if this is the most relevant, best way to get the information out, then we need to do it."

"Don't get busted," Hines warns with a laugh.

Knoedl says his team records using stationary equipment, so they don't have to operate any cameras while driving. He also says they're working on an i-Phone app.

The team also wants to bring these videos to schools, to keep spreading the word on the dangers of distracted drivers.