The California cell phone law problems
In July, the great state of California decided it was in the best interest its residents, to prohibit the use of cell phones without a hands free device while driving.
Whether or not you think the law is helpful… or likely to prevent car accidents… or just another reason for the police to pull us over, we can all agree that this presents new challenges to our finances.
We can’t simply buy a phone and be done with it. Now, we must but a headset, a car kit, a wrap, a microphone, a battery for the headset, and back-up battery, a Bluetooth, a Jabra…
Eh…
You get it.
Fortunately California left a loophole*:
‘The law allows a driver to use a wireless telephone to make emergency calls to a law enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department, or other emergency services agency.’
Oh wait.
Wrong loophole.
It’s this one*:
Q: Does the “hands-free” law allow you to use the speaker phone function of your wireless telephone while driving?
A: Yes, as long as you are not holding the phone.
Being the cheap person *cough* I mean, being the ‘fiscally responsible person’ I am, I decided to start using the speakerphone option rather than purchase a hands free device.
Um.
Have you ever used that before?
Do you realize that you must speak like a cross between Fran Drescher and Rosie O’Donnell just to be heard?
And on top of it all, there has to be complete silence in the car – almost like the day I told my parents I wanted to get married.
So. For all you residents of states that prohibit hands on cell phone driving, here’s some advice…
Test the speakerphone options on the cell phones before you buy them and…
Test them in a wind tunnel.
*This information can be located at: http://dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/
Popularity: 6% [?]
Posted: December 8th, 2008 under Saving Money.
Comments: 9
Comments
Comment from Analise
Time: December 8, 2008, 8:19 am
Hmmm. Well, I am happy about the law. Many careful drivers I know used bluetooth before the law came into effect. So what if you have to pay $39+ for a bluetooth headset? If it reduces the number of crazy people driving with one hand because the other hand is holding their cell phone, so be it. I know someone who was plowed down by a distracted driver… totally preventable.
But yes, by all means, do test out the speakerphone feature of your new phone if you plan to forego a bluetooth adaptor. As frugal as I am, I draw the line at skimping when it comes to safety.
Comment from Nicole
Time: December 8, 2008, 9:58 am
Hey, at least we can still put on make-up, eat a burger, look at a map, read and text while driving.Those are all MUCH safer;)
Comment from cptacek
Time: December 8, 2008, 9:42 pm
don’t forget road head.
Comment from Adriel
Time: December 9, 2008, 2:18 am
Stupid lobbyists, convincing our law makers whats best for us so we can be forced into buying more of their stupid cell phone products.
In Utah they recently passed law saying that any children younger than 8, or until they are 4 feet 9 inches tall must ride on a booster seat. Them lobbyists have been trying hard to get Utah law makers to pass this since dinosaurs were around and now that they finally did, I made sure to buy stock of booster seat manufacturers or companies.
Comment from Ashleigh
Time: December 9, 2008, 7:08 am
Oh I would be in trouble if they did that here.
I really need to just hang up.
;0)
Comment from anne
Time: December 9, 2008, 11:04 am
You should try putting an elastic band or a couple pony tail holders around your driver side visor. Then you pull your visor into the down position, slip the phone under the elastic and voila! It is almost like having one of those bluetooth visor clip devices.
Comment from Lizzie
Time: December 10, 2008, 3:35 pm
I love the elastic band idea…..
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