Hands Free Law (UPDATE) - California Cracking Down on Distracted Drivers

California has just passed a ’hands free law‘ in an attempt to crack down on distracted drivers.  However, you’re still allowed to use headsets, so feel free to text message and dial while you drive, because that’s MUCH safer.

If caught chatting on your phone, a local friendly officer of the law could fine you $20 - $50.  California is not the first to pass a ‘hands free law’.  The state joins New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Washington.

However, the law does provide some leeway for a couple of situations:  “It’s an emergency,” “I’m a trucker,” or, “I’m a tow truck driver.” Personally, I would try to use the last excuse.

Interestingly, headsets are still allowed, introducing my personal question, “What’s more dangerous, holding a phone or dialing while you drive?” I’ve enclosed an article from a year ago about a girl who used her phone NINE times before crashing into (and killing) a little old lady.

Text Messaging Induced Crashes - British Teen Imprisoned

Talking on the phone while driving is dangerous, but you can crank up the danger level even more if you text message while driving… For one young British woman, texting while driving has resulted in… [More]

Better Hands Free Options:

Ford Sync (REVIEW) - In Car Speech Recognition for Your iPod, Phone and Navigation (VIDEO)

Say, “Play Artist Black Eyed Peas,” and Ford Sync will cue up the Peas in your iPod, Zune or even USB drive.  “Dial Mom,” and Ford Sync will use your bluetooth enabled phone to ring your mother.  This… [More]

Voice Controlled iPod, Phone and Media - The Pioneer AVIC-F500BT GPS Navigator (CES 2008)

The Pioneer AVIC-F500BT GPS Navigator is an media center for your car that lets you voice control your navigation, bluetooth phone and ipod.  At Trend Hunter, we’ve always been fans of the concept since… [More]

Headset Manufacturers Already Using Law to Sell

Hidden Cameras on Road Tests - “Kid Fails Driving Test 5 Times” Parrot Ad (VIDEO)

As of July 1, 2008, using cell phone handsets while driving will be banned in California and Washington, making them the states to enact the law. Poking fun at the new regulation is this YouTube video… [More]

Disagree with the hands free law? Get one of these:

Portable Rotary Phones (UPDATE) - For Haters of the ‘Califronia Hands Free Law’ (GALLERY)

My article about the California hands free law (HERE) had me searching the net for retro car phones… and then I found this!  It’s a portable rotary phone that’s fully functional as a mobile phone.  It… [More]

Finally, a Question: does the California hands free law apply if your car IS a phone?

Retro Phone Cars - Howard Davis’s VW Beetle Mod (VIDEO)

Howard Davis modified a 1975 Volkswagen Beetle to make it look like a large throwback phone on wheels. Originally, Davis created this phone car to promote his telephone business called Datel Communications.… [More]