Drive Safe.ly, a new BlackBerry app, reads your text messages and emails out loud while you’re on the road to keep your hands free for driving.

The app, available free from BlackBerry App World, also sends a customisable auto-response to let people who get in touch with you know that you’re on the road and can’t reply.

Using your handset while driving is illegal in Australia; nevertheless, it is estimated that around 30 per cent of drivers have texted while on the road and that one in six do so regularly.

Drive Safe.ly can be downloaded from the BlackBerry app store or App World online at http://appworld.blackberry.com/webstore/content/3381