Patent ID: 8369838

Claim:
A method for providing to a wireless mobile unit an alert representing a warning that legally imposed restrictions on the use of wireless mobile units by drivers of moving vehicles in predetermined zones, the method comprising: determining by a communication system if a first mobile unit is being used for wireless communications; acquiring by the communication system the location of the first mobile unit; comparing by the communication system the location of the first mobile unit to locations of said predetermined zones having restrictions on the use of wireless mobile units by drivers of moving vehicles; upon the first mobile unit entering a warning zone that is adjacent the predetermined zone and the first mobile unit being used for wireless communications, initiating the transmission of an alert to the first mobile unit where the alert causes the first mobile unit to output an audible or visual communication available to the user of the first mobile unit, said audible or visual communication providing a warning that a legally imposed restriction on the use of the first wireless mobile unit by a driver of moving vehicle is imposed in the predetermined zone.