It's been two days since California went hands free and now the fun begins.
I admit that I've picked up the phone twice out of habit while driving down Truxtun Extension, before realizing I was breaking the law.
So, I activated the speaker while dropping the phone into my shirt pocket.
It actually made for a pretty clear connection.
My Bluetooth doesn't work with my new phone, so I'm being forced to buy a new one.
Problem is, I haven't made the time to pick one up.
So, I'm letting the phone go to voice mail, or pulling over to the side of the road to take a call.
Some people are following suit, while others seem oblivious to the law or are daring the cops to stop them.
On Day 1 of the enforcement, Bakersfield Police reported 11 citations for people holding the phone to their ear while rolling down local roadways.
We tagged along with a CHP officer Tuesday morning and listened to the excuses.
"I forgot today was the day the law took effect."
"I was holding it, but not talking on it."
And my personal favorite, "I wasn't talking on the phone, you can check my recent calls."
In each case, the officer and an ABC23 reporter followed the law breakers for several blocks before initiating a stop, watching the cell phone scofflaw chat away without regard for this law meant to reduce distractions.
But is a Bluetooth or hands free headset really that much better.
Have you listened to someone talking on an earpiece lately?
You may have overheard their conversation from across a store, in a busy parking lot or at the ball game.
The use of a Bluetooth has this uncanny ability to raise a person's decibel level, while at the same time, straining to hear the conversation on the other end of the line.
I was behind a woman who had the earpiece pop out, then swerved into the lane to her right as she tried to retrieve it.
The change in chatting was meant to allow drivers to keep both hands on the wheel.
I think forcing people to use the hands free device will give those hands something else to do.
Now, you can talk on the phone, eat and change the radio all at the same time.
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4 comments:
I agree. I'm waiting to hear about the first wreck as someone pulls over to talk on the phone on the freeway, only to cause a major crash...
As a society, me included, there's an addiction to the new technologies of connecting to other people at all times of the day.
It's like my kid who got in trouble and had his mean dad delate his myspace. Now he tells his brother, "I don't need myspace. That's for addicts." Yeah, but he already went through the withdrawals...
This Law boggles the mind... You cant talk on the phone without a handsfree device but there is no law against texting someone, or eating, smoking, putting on make-up, changing CD's. So what does this new law accomplish... nothing. Revenew from tickets will go up and blue-tooth device sales will sky rocket but thats about it. As for me I'm still gonna talk on my cellphone, I have been doing it for a long time and I havent had nor caused any accidents. Heres to new laws governing our lives. God Bless America.
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 battery starts to decline once you begin to use it, hence the talk time and standby time decreases.
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.
www.safewireless.com
What is the problem with our society today that people lack the civility to go someplace private to talk on the phone? I've listened to people talk about their most personal issues at the Library, the Post Office and the movie theater. I've had a cell phone for years, and never bothered with a hands-free device ... I figure, if it's important they'll leave a message, and if I'm busy (driving or in a public place or just playing with my son) they'll understand that I have a life not accessible by phone! People need to realize that the reason they have voice-mail is so that they DON'T have to be available 24/7.
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