Interaction with a handheld device is modified based upon the speed at which the handheld device is traveling, for example while being held in a passenger vehicle. If the handheld device appears to be moving faster than a pre-established threshold, a lockout flag indicates that interaction with the user must be modified. Then, the lockout flag is cleared only when the handheld device is held off at an angle and the user focuses gaze upon the display for a minimum amount of time. Once the lockout flag is cleared, interaction with the user returns to a normal state.