Exclusive

Justin Bieber Just Says No to Driving Under the Influence of Cell Phones

In tribute to a high school girl killed in an accident while texting, teen heartthrob is promoting an app that disables smartphone keyboards

By Natalie Finn Jul 20, 2011 12:00 AMTags

Justin Bieber wants you to stay safe behind the wheel.

Rule No. 1 is put down your phone. And if you can't, the Biebs will put it down for you.

"There are too many lives lost to such a preventable issue like texting and driving," the pop star told E! News at a campaign for Drive Safe, a free app that locks a smartphone's keyboard when it's in a vehicle going more than 10 miles per hour.

"This campaign isn't antitexting," Bieber assured us. "It's about texting responsibly."

An important cause indeed, but what made the Twitter-loving teen get on board?

Bieber was inspired by the Remember Alex Brown Foundation, named after a high school senior who died in a car accident that occurred because she was distracted by texting.

"Alex Brown's family lost her to texting while driving," Bieber said. "Working together with the [foundation], we hope to help teach teens and parents about the major risks involved with texting and driving so they don't suffer the same loss.

"As a 17-year-old driver, I'm aware of the countless distractions that we teenagers face on the road, and texting is one that is preventable," he added.

Good work, young Bieber. If even a fraction of his 11 million Twitter followers download PhoneGuard's Drive Safe app, he can consider his time well spent.