Hands-free is the law

Hands-free is the law
Originally uploaded by beancounter

Yo California!

After July 1st, whatever you're holding in your hand as you drive had better not be a cell phone.

Comments

[Anthony]

So anthrax or an AK-47 is acceptable?
Cell phones don't kill people, telemarketers do!

[Sam]

too bad all the data shows that bluetooth headsets cause just as many accidents as holding the phone; it's the distraction due to conversation, not holding a phone. talking to someone else in the car is statistically almost identical.

of course, there were 2 studies - paid for by, who else, ATT and Verizon - which showed that headsets were safer, and that's the data the legislature used, not the impartial UC or Duke studies.

[Tonya]

Same law goes into effect on the same day here in Washington. I'll be glad to no longer have cars drifting into the shoulders going 20 mph below the flow of freeway traffic. Often I've thought: "Yikes, is she/he having a heart attack?" But no, just talking on the cell phone...

[Anthony]

If you have MPD and are involved in an auto accident, can you charge your co-personalities with reckless endangerment because their conversation distracted you at a crucial moment?
Also, if you have MPD and one of your subsidary personalities committs a murder, are the other personalities responsible as well?
And honestly, how do MPDs go out and eat if Bob is a Vegan and Jeff loves steak?

[Ken]

Car kit versus ear piece, where's the clear advantage?

Salespeople may tell you that Bluetooth earpieces are the low-cost solution to hands-free calling -- but a closer look reveals these claims to be misleading.

Here is a list of disadvantages that the earpiece manufacturers and resellers don't want you to know about:

Nearly all Bluetooth earpieces have an internal battery that can't be removed. These batteries have a short life of approximately 300 charges, or approximately one earpiece per year (less if you recharge every day). And prices range from $20-$300, averaging about $50.
The earpiece can't be used while it is charging.
The earpieces don't fit everyone comfortably. One size definitely doesn't fit all; yet you cannot try the earpiece before you buy.
The earpieces are uncomfortable for those who wear glasses or sunglasses.
For reasons of hygiene, the earpieces should not be shared.
Earpieces are easily lost, stolen, or broken.
Bluetooth headsets, on average, last just 26 hours when not in use and only 2 to 3 hours when talking.
The life of the lithium ion battery starts to decline the day it was manufactured whether it is being used or not, the talk time and standby time will continue to degrade over it's short life. The advertised talk time and standby time is only valid when the unit is new and even then the claims are likely overstated.
Many users purchase more than one Bluetooth earpiece, then finally give up and buy an integrated Bluetooth car kit.
Potential harmful effects from radiation through the earpiece.
Most people find the earpieces uncomfortable and ugly, and/or experience lousy audio quality.
Many people will buy the earpiece believing it is more cost effective, ultimately they end up buying an integrated car kit because they just find it cumbersome to use.

For the person who talks on the phone for business or wants the best audio quality each and every second of their calls, there is no substitute for a Parrot hands free car kit. No batteries to die, no ear pieces to buy every year, even if you plan on selling your car in 5 years, your car will be worth an extra couple of hundred dollars because of the Parrot Bluetooth car kit option. The value proposition is clear as day, make the prudent choice!

www.safewireless.com

Take a car kit for a spin at the "car kit demos link".

[Deb]

And yet, it will be still be legal to text while driving!

Fortunately, the odds of anyone calling me while I'm driving are fairly low; and I won't be making calls. I'd choose to go with a phone holder and just put it on speaker.