Wireless handset vehicle safety interlock

A mobile communications device, said mobile communications device comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory;
• an input/output (I/O) unit;
• said processor configured to:
• determine if the mobile communications device is located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle using a signal strength sensor located within a steering wheel of the vehicle;
• determine a condition parameter of the mobile communications device;
• disable a transmitter on the mobile communications device in response to the mobile communications device being located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle and further in response to the determined condition parameter;
• and
• enable the transmitter on the mobile communications device in response to determining that the mobile communications device is not located in a restricted location.

A vehicle control system, said vehicle control system comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory;
• an input/output (I/O) unit in communications with a mobile communications device;
• said processor configured to:
• determine if the mobile communications device is located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle using a signal strength sensor located within a steering wheel of the vehicle;
• receive a condition parameter of the mobile communications device;
• send a request to disable a transmitter on the mobile communications device in response to the mobile communications device being located proximate to an operator's seat of a vehicle and further in response to the received condition parameter;
• and
• send a request to enable the transmitter on the mobile communications device in response to determining that the mobile communications device is not located in a restricted location.