California passed a “hands free” cellular phone law almost two years ago, but it hasn’t gone into effect yet. That’ll change on July 1, a little less than seven weeks from today. Neither my wife nor I have purchased a hands-free headset yet, but it’s probably about time for me to look into it.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has a helpful hands-free FAQ on their web site. High points (IMO):
- Minors are prohibited from using any device, hands-free or not, while driving. (Neither of my children drive yet, but I’m looking forward to pointing this out to them anyway. Insert evil parental laugh here.)
- The law is equally applicable to out-of-state drivers.
- The fines are pretty minor, and no violation “points” will be added to your driving record for an infraction.
I don’t drive much, but I’ve missed several calls while commuting on my bicycle. A hands-free device would have allowed me to hear my phone ringing over the traffic, probably–Watt Avenue can be very noisy! If I’m going to use my phone while riding, I’ll need to find a headset with good noise cancellation to block wind and traffic sounds from the mic.
If you do get a noise canceling headset, I highly recommend the Aliph Jawbone. My car can be a bit on the noisy side, but when I’m on the Jawbone, generally people can’t even tell that I’m driving. I’ve also talked while walking along a busy street with no problems. It’s relatively expensive, but worth it, in my experience.
‘california “hands free” law’
Minors are prohibited from using any device, hands-free or not, while driving. (Neither of my children drive yet, but I’m looking forward to pointing this out to them anyway. Insert evil parental laugh here.)
The law is equally applicable to out-of-state drivers.
The fines are pretty minor, and no violation “points” will be added to your driving record for an infraction.
This issue only effects the pocket book of parents… Why not apply this law to everyone? Unless your a commercial driver people do not need to be on the phone while driving. We are all guilty o doing so but I would adhere to any law prescribing such an instruction to do so, i.e.; driving while on the phone.
This problem speaks loud and clear exposing the condition of our human experience on planet earth. Can we not wait a few minutes to to use our phones? Many Corporate Jobs require their employees to carry a cell phone to ensure they can reach their employees 24/7. I believe our inability to break away from our phone and our lack of patients in this matter reveal the condition of our human state. Not to mention certain Jobs invading our personal life leisure activity of which is a complete violation of our person, i.e.; Mind, Body and Spirit.
A Law of this nature and it’s area effect on society as a whole could be a the best thing for our culture, not only a benefit to our lives and family but a blessing to sovereignty and freedom of our Spirit.
Minors are prohibited from using the phone as a phone but there is NO prohibition from texting while driving (as with adults alike) so this law is more likely to cause more accidents than it prevents. The phone companies make too much money from the texting activities of minors and their revenue stream will actually increase vs decrease (BY DESIGN) so if people think this is a win for better driving just watch what happens.