Hands-Free FAQ

June 21, 2008 at 5:45 pm nathan118 11 comments

The new “no cell phones to your ear” law takes effect in less than two weeks. Here’s the skinny straight from the DMV website.

We got new phones a few months ago that have bluetooth (a first for us!) and today I ordered these headsets. I’ve read good and bad about every headset, but for the most part these (Plantronics Voyager 510) seem to be nice. They come with three different “ear pieces” so you can find one that fits inside your ear nicely.

Misc cell phones, dmv website, headsets, plantronics voyager 510

Comments

Written by ~kevin about 4 years ago.

I will never wear a headset or earpiece. They actually are funny to me. My phone conversations are not that important that I can’t wait five minutes until I get home. I plan on using the new law as an excuse to ignore people.

The little phones that hang on your ear like something out of star trek crack me up, especially when old people wear ‘em. It screams “look at me and my cool trendy phone.” hilarious.

If I had the choice to make for the world, I would disinvent cell phones altogether. Go back in time and get rid of ‘em.
Written by Angelo Alberico about 4 years ago.

Grandpa Kevin, the Luddite!

I’ve been getting used to my bluetooth for the last year plus, I have a routine for charging and using it while driving, there’s a little spare “shelf” in the dash of my truck which makes it convenient… this has all worked well except when I misplace the ear piece for a few days I go mad looking for it!
Written by ~kevin about 4 years ago.

grandpa kevin will never go mad looking for an earpiece.
Written by kurtiigeek about 4 years ago.

I have bluetooth built into my car. I press a button on my steering wheel and say “Amanda” and it will call Amanda. Slick system and no earpiece. I too am a believer in the earpieces looking funny.
Written by Niall about 4 years ago.

I’m not sure why the government thought it’s job was to tell me that I couldn’t drive and use a cellular device at the same time.
Written by nathan118 about 4 years ago.

I don’t plan on using it anywhere outside of the car, except maybe on the PS3 at some point.

Why can the government tell you not to use a cell phone? Same reason you can’t wear headphones while driving…safety. Whether you like the law or not, it’s certainly within the government’s discretion to legislate measures to make the roads safer.

I hear you though Kevin. As much as I enjoy technology and the things it has made possible, there are certain times where I could throw it all away and live in a log cabin.
Written by Andrew about 4 years ago.

My problem with the law is that it doesn’t have any supporting evidence that it will be effective. Studies I’ve seen show that holding the phone has little to do with an increase in risk; simply having a conversation, over the phone or with others, increases the risk of an accident. If the politicians want to pass a law that makes things safer fine, but this will probably just end up annoying people enough that they won’t use their cell phones in the car. I’ve got a post in the works with actual links to studies.
Written by nathan118 about 4 years ago.

While I’d like to see studies, I don’t think there is any way you can argue that it will make things LESS safe. The fact that people should have two hands on the wheel more often will make things safer all by itself. I think a big problem with holding the cell phone to your ear is that it tends to block your peripheral vision. People will hold it up to their left ear and prop their elbow on the door, and they won’t look out their side window at all.

So I think from a purely physical standpoint it can only make things better, not worse. Now will it improve enough that it’s worth the legislation and pain? Maybe not.
Written by ~kevin about 4 years ago.

I heard a comedian say one time that if we want the roads to be safer, we should take out all airbags and attach mashettis pointed at the driver. Everyone would drive 3 miles an hour and be incredibly cautious.

I think part of the problem is actually the attempts to make everything so safe. We all get complacent and ignorant because everything is “so safe,” and we don’t think we need to worry about it ourselves
Written by Andrew about 4 years ago.

I also saw that comedian and thought that was pretty funny, his name escapes me.
Written by Angelo Alberico about 4 years ago.

I think it’s lame to make another (arguably) useless law…

Studies aside, I believe talking on the phone (while holding it or via handsfree) takes your attention away from what your primary responsibility is when you’re driving, that is DRIVING responsibly. I guess I get the premise of the law because logic tells me it’s better having two hands on the wheel rather than trying to taco-neck hold the phone while driving.

Though one can also argue dealing with a screaming/unruly child, listening to the radio, talking to passengers or driving while drowsy all are impair your ability to drive and those actions aren’t against the law.

So yeah the law is lame and a complete waste of time and will likely not be effective or not well enforced… just more PC to be pulled over in the end.

Regarding the hands free system / bluetooth headset, I view it as more of a convenience item than safety item. I’ve been using a handsfree on and off for almost 2 years and I enjoy not having to hold the phone (especially because it’s a PDA) while I’m driving and I think because I’m a decent multi-tasker I’m not increasing my risk that much while talking.

I also enjoy not having to hold the phone while I work because I really do require two hands for 85% of the work I do and I get very frustrated when I’m busy and get one of those *family* phone calls and I realize d’oh I left my headset in the TRUCK!

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