Ready or not, "hands-free" law goes into effect Tuesday
Last night, I finally bought "hands-free" hardware to go with my cell phone. I generally dislike talking on any phone, so I waited as long as I could. And I don't talk a lot while I'm driving -- mostly I listen to audiobooks -- but I'm sure there will be times when I need it and I'm too cheap to risk getting a ticket for violating the new law.
Starting Tuesday, all California drivers age 18 and older will be required to use a hands-free device to make a call. Drivers under 18 can't use electronic devices at all while driving.
From what I hear though, "hands-free" isn't necessarily trouble free. I know when my husband uses his and has the air conditioner running, it sounds like he's talking in gale-force winds.
And, it's not like drivers can't still be distracted, even if they're using both hands. An article in today's Telegraph (United Kingdom) tells of a driver who was jailed for causing a fatal crash while talking on a Bluetooth headset.
Marvyn Richmond, 49, was so engrossed in a conversation with his mother that he failed to notice traffic ahead of him had come to a standstill, and ploughed into the back of the queue, killing a passenger in a van.
Are you ready for Tuesday? Have you acquired one of those things in your ear? If you have, is there a brand you would really recommend? Or, like Bee columnist Mike Oz, are you taking a stand by refusing to go hands-free?
Comments
The new law is ridiculous!
Holding the phone isn't the distraction. Talking on it is!
Posted by: Cary Boyles | June 27, 2008 1:17 PM
I have bought the Motorola 350 and it seems to be pretty clear but is a pain when telling it to make a call. If I want or need to make a call, it is just as easy to pull over for a bit. There will be many people still talking on their phones without the hands free device that will just be watching for cops.
Posted by: Jackie Krage | June 27, 2008 4:53 PM
I don't answer my cell phone while driving because I'm too paranoid! I figure if it's important, the caller will leave a message.
Also, if you're busy trying to press buttons while driving with one hand and you have to look at the cell phone, then yup, you're a hazard to yourself and the public. It really drives me crazy when my husband does that! So I don't mind the law. My lifespan may have potentially gained a few more years...I think.
However, there are other things that people do while driving that could be considered just as dangerous and distracting. Examples: eating, drinking, changing cds or the radio stations, singing to the music, chatting with the passengers, disciplining kids,reading maps or the paper, getting things out of glove compartments or purses, adjusting clothing or removing outerwear, fixing hair or make-up, and even applying nailpolish.
So we have another imperfect law, and the cynic in me thinks maybe it's just another law passed for raising revenue. But I can also be the Pollyanna and make-believe the law will actually make a difference. Maybe the law enforcement will catch enough people to pay for the installment of more cameras. It's worked for the red light runners, hasn't it? Oh, but only where people know the cameras actually work...
Posted by: Ann Marie | June 27, 2008 7:50 PM
"Hands free", maybe if our streets were "moron free" we would have less accidents.
Posted by: Rich | June 27, 2008 9:27 PM
This ought to help with law enforcement revenue shortages.The traffic tickets will soon look like a menu from a restaurant..tipping is discouraged.
Posted by: Brian Murray | June 28, 2008 6:28 AM
This is just one more heavy handed and foolish effort to improve our world. There are good drivers and bad drivers (lots of them actually) and the good drivers can handle the cell phone properly and stay safe. Bad drivers will find ways to kill folks whether it is through the use of cell phones or some other inability to adapt to driving conditions.
Any good driver knows there are times when conditions do not allow for any diminished concentration. Those are the same ones that know how fast to drive in fog conditions, and how close to follow the vehicle in front.
The bad drivers never get it, and we all pay the price for that.
Posted by: Dave | June 28, 2008 8:43 PM