A method for preventing a portable electronic device from transmitting communication when it is located within a threshold distance from a motor vehicle, the portable electronic device comprising a communication subsystem configured to receive messages from and send messages to a wireless network, a processor, and a short-range communication subsystem, the method comprising: detecting at the short-range communication subsystem a short-range wireless signal associated with the motor vehicle; determining by a processor of the portable electronic device, based on the detected short-range wireless signal, whether the device is within a threshold distance from the motor vehicle; and detecting that the portable device remains within the threshold distance for a threshold period of time; wherein when the portable electronic device is within the threshold distance of the motor vehicle; detecting at the portable electronic device, via the short-range wireless communication subsystem, a hands-free device associated with the motor vehicle, engaging hands-free operation between the portable electronic device and the hands-free device, via the short-range communication subsystem of the portable electronic device; preventing the portable electronic device from transmitting communications by: inhibiting hands-on operation of the device by placing restrictions on the portable electronic device that prevent the entry or display of information via a touch-sensitive display of the portable electronic device;and re-establishing hands-on operation of the portable electronic device when an input to re-establish hands-on operation is received from a user and/or the electronic portable device is outside the threshold distance. detecting at the short-range communication subsystem a short-range wireless signal associated with the motor vehicle; determining by a processor of the portable electronic device, based on the detected short-range wireless signal, whether the device is within a threshold distance from the motor vehicle; and detecting that the portable device remains within the threshold distance for a threshold period of time; wherein when the portable electronic device is within the threshold distance of the motor vehicle; detecting at the portable electronic device, via the short-range wireless communication subsystem, a hands-free device associated with the motor vehicle, engaging hands-free operation between the portable electronic device and the hands-free device, via the short-range communication subsystem of the portable electronic device; preventing the portable electronic device from transmitting communications by: inhibiting hands-on operation of the device by placing restrictions on the portable electronic device that prevent the entry or display of information via a touch-sensitive display of the portable electronic device;and re-establishing hands-on operation of the portable electronic device when an input to re-establish hands-on operation is received from a user and/or the electronic portable device is outside the threshold distance. inhibiting hands-on operation of the device by placing restrictions on the portable electronic device that prevent the entry or display of information via a touch-sensitive display of the portable electronic device;and re-establishing hands-on operation of the portable electronic device when an input to re-establish hands-on operation is received from a user and/or the electronic portable device is outside the threshold distance.