Smartphone-based vehicle control method to avoid collisions

A method for vehicular control to avoid collisions, comprising:

• coupling a smartphone to the vehicle while the smartphone is in a compartment defined by the vehicle, the smartphone being usable for voice and data communications independent of the vehicle when outside of the compartment defined by the vehicle;
• causing data to be generated from one or more vehicle-resident sensors about operation of the vehicle while the smartphone is coupled to the vehicle;
• causing the data generated by the vehicle-resident sensors to be transferred from the vehicle to the smartphone while the smartphone is coupled to the vehicle;
• establishing a communications network with at least one other vehicle using the smartphone and transmitting via the smartphone and established communications network, the data transferred from the vehicle to the smartphone while the smartphone is coupled to the vehicle and data from at least one sensor on the smartphone, to the at least one other vehicle, the data including data about location and movement of the vehicle;
• and
• controlling, while the smartphone is coupled to the vehicle, a vehicular operational function based in part on data being transmitted using the smartphone and established communications network to cause movement of the vehicle to change in order to avoid a collision with the at least one other vehicle.