Ford has partnered with Glympse to create a hands-free, in-car location messaging service.

Texting and driving continues to be a big problem, despite powerful public service announcements condemning the practice. Now, a new technology from Seattle startup Glympse and auto maker Ford could help to wipe out texting from behind the wheel.

Basically, the new service allows drivers to share their location information with friends and family members using voice commands or buttons on the steering wheel. In other words, no need to pick up the mobile phone to tell your loved ones that you’ll be 10 minutes late.

“People typically share their location while in the car, and by integrating Glympse into Ford SYNC AppLink, we’re providing drivers with a rich, real-time and hands-free way to share where they are,” said Bryan Trussel, co-founder and CEO of Glympse.

Integrated with the Ford SYNC AppLink service, drivers can simply say ‘Send a Glympse’ to share their location. Drivers must have the Glympse app installed on their Android or iOS device, and then connect the phone via Bluetooth or USB. Then, they can send a location-based alert to a friend or family member’s email, cell phone, Facebook or Twitter

The technology, which is being unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, couldn’t come at a better time. Nearly 23 percent of auto collisions in the U.S. involve cell phones.

Ford’s SYNC AppLink is available on more than one million vehicles, including the 2013 Fiesta, Mustang, Expedition, Fusion, F-150, Super Duty, Focus, E-Series and C-MAX.

Backed by Ignition Partners and Menlo Ventures, Glympse last month inked a deal to integrate its service with Garmin’s iPhone and Android navigation apps.

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