Distracted driving elimination system

A distracted driving elimination system for an automobile, comprising:

• an image capture device defining a camera within a passenger compartment of the automobile capturing images of a first hand and a second hand of a vehicle operator and a steering wheel;
• an analysis unit having a geometry and visual characteristics of multiple predetermined items saved in a memory, the analysis unit receiving the images from the image capture device and comparing the images to the predetermined items saved in the memory to identify if any one of the first hand or the second hand of the vehicle operator is not in direct contact with the steering wheel and is in direct contact with one of the predetermined items thereby initiating a distracted driving event;
• a distracted driving signal generated by the analysis unit when the distracted driving event is initiated;
• and
• an indication system generating an indication when the distracted driving signal is forwarded to the indication system, the indication alerting the vehicle operator of the distracted driving event;
• and
• wherein the distracted driving event is also initiated when the analysis unit identifies any one of the first hand or the second hand of the vehicle operator is in direct contact with the steering wheel and is also in direct contact with one of the predetermined items.

A method for eliminating distracted driving events for an automobile, comprising:

• capturing images of a first hand and a second hand of a vehicle operator and a steering wheel using an image capture device defining a camera;
• forwarding the images to an analysis unit having a geometry and visual characteristics of multiple predetermined items saved in a memory;
• the analysis unit comparing the images to the predetermined items saved in the memory and identifying if any one of the first hand or the second hand of the vehicle operator is not in direct contact with the steering wheel and is in direct contact with one of the predetermined items thereby initiating a distracted driving event;
• generating a distracted driving signal when the distracted driving event is initiated;
• and
• providing an indication from an indication system upon receipt of the distracted driving signal by the indication system, the indication alerting the vehicle operator of the distracted driving event;
• prior to the capturing step activating the image capture device if the automobile is running and is not parked;
• after the capturing step determining if both the first hand and the second hand are visible;
• and
• identifying if both the first hand and the second hand are off the steering wheel, defined as not in direct contact with the steering wheel.