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Justin Bieber has launched a campaign to help spread awareness about the dangers of texting and driving, alongside a new phone app.

The device disables text and email functions on a mobile phone when it's in a vehicle moving faster than 10mph.

The campaign is working with a foundation set up by the parents of teenager Alex Brown who died because of texting and driving.

As a driver himself Bieber says he wants to help make the road safer.

He added: "As a 17-year-old driver, I am aware of the countless distractions that we teenagers face on the road, and texting is one that is preventable.

"There are too many young people, like Alex Brown, whom we've lost because of texting while driving, and it is my hope that, through this partnership with PhoneGuard, we will raise awareness of this issue and create safer conditions for everyone on the road."

Over the next couple of weeks the campaign will feature video content from Bieber, as well as Alex Brown's family.

Using GPS, the Don't Text Don't Drive app automatically turns off certain functions of the driver's phone when it's moving, so it can't be used to text, email, instant message or surf the internet.

If the car is stopped for longer than five seconds, normal service is returned and any missed messages can be retrieved.