july is here: no more driving and talking in california
Starting yesterday in California, you now can not hold a cellular phone next to your head while driving anywhere in the state. I really hate new laws that take away liberties that I used to take for granted. On Monday night on my way to pick up the wife at the airport I rang in the new day, new month and ridiculous new law speeding along the 405, gabbing away until 11:59p. The first-offender fine is supposedly only $20, and I have no idea how tough they will be on enforcing the new law, but until I hear some evidence that the cops don’t really care, I’m going to go hands-free while driving.
The ridiculous part of this new law is that you can still handle your phone, just not hold it to your head. You can still text, surf the web and dial from your phone, just so long as you don’t bring it to your ear. So if I forget my Bluetooth headset and have to send a message I’ll prolly text, and from experience, that’s infinitely more dangerous than having a hand off the steering wheel. I usually have one hand on the wheel and one hand on my shifter anyway. My guess is that at least in the short run, there’ll be more accidents from people trying to find their headset or trying to pair their Bluetooth devices. In the long run, I imagine this stupid law will make no difference at all, other than create more douche bags who wear their Bluetooth headset all the time.
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I saw an article online that said that if you get a ticket for violating the new law, plantronics will give you a free headset for some reason. Also, is that pic of the jawbone headset? My friend Rob just bought that one like two days ago.
yeh, that’s the new jawbone. i bought one yesterday at best buy. kinda pricey for a bt headset, but sounds quality is really good, even in the s with the top down.
man, i worked from home yesterday so i barely drove anywhere. i did, however, drive to best buy to pickup a bt handsfree speakerphone and on my way there i saw two people pulled over for this. looks like the cops were out in force yesterday saving the world from dangerous dialers. im wonder when the “no fast food in your car” and “no video screens in the front seat” laws will happen. both of those seem more dangerous than a phone to someone’s ear.
I cant recall the last time I was almost DESTROYED by someone watching a video screen… However, 9 times out of 10 when I honk at someone, they are yappin away on the phone.