LOS ANGELES, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- Dec 14, 2010 -- In 2009, 34,000 lives were lost due to distracted driving, bringing increased recognition to a cause inventor Demetrius Thompson has focused on for years. Los Angeles-based Thompson created Global Mobile Alert™ (GMA), the world's first location-based platform and GPS-enabled early warning system that reduces driver distraction by producing an audible alert to warn drivers of an approaching traffic light, railroad crossing or school zone. Offered at $9.99 for a year's subscription on the Android Market, GMA is available across the Navteq mapping system in a combined 27 American and Canadian cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Toronto, among others.

Thompson was inspired to create GMA after being struck twice by drivers talking on cell phones in 1993. Acting on his anger, Thompson recalls the insurance company informing him that there were no government policies to protect pedestrians. Motivated to protect others and himself, he learned about source-coding, traffic light grids and programming. He also drew upon the technical knowledge he gained at Wilshire Computer College and National Technical School, after he dropped out of high school in the tenth grade, when his best friend was killed in a drive-by shooting.

Five years later, Global Mobile Alert Corporation had a patent and partnerships with Navteq and deCarta, launching GMA on the Google Android platform. Next year GMA will be available on the iPhone and the BlackBerry.

GMA was a finalist at the Telematics Awards for Best Portable Telematics Solution 2008, nominated for Best Portable Telematics Solution, Best Aftermarket Device and Best Telematics Service & Application for Commercial Vehicles in 2009 and a finalist for Industry Newcomer and Best Use of Telematics Technology in the Public sector in 2010. GMA has also received attention from advocacy groups. "As I'm touring the country making people aware of the dangers of distracted driving, I'm always looking for solutions I can offer. The Global Mobile Alert application is an awesome solution to prevent tragedies, like I experienced when I lost my 17-year-old son to a distracted driver," says Cynthia Williams, who founded Love From Afar and created the Parents Against Distracted Driving Tour, which is taking her across the U.S. "Sharing a solution like GMA can save lives."

For more information, visit http://www.globalmobilealert.com

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