Same law just started here in Washington on the 1st.
However I don't think that the "Under 18" part of it applies here?
However I don't think that the "Under 18" part of it applies here?
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Hands-Free law in California
- Thread starter bradl
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Gawd, I hope not when you're driving!(OK, I'll be honest, I just did some SMS Texting while driving to the Ontario Airport, Southern California, last night, but there was hardly anyone on the road (and I did have my BT on)...Thank God!).
Haha no. I just find it sort of weird that something that requires more focus, concentration, and hands than talking on the phone is not illegal as well. I guess it would be harder to catch people who do, I suppose!
Couldn't agree more. NC only forbids those under 18 from using a cell of any type while driving.
I believe it was either in Australia or New Zealand where accident statistics were kept. They found that driving cell phone talkers were about as likely to be in a wreck as DUIs, hence the expression "phone drunk."
I was out driving on the first (I'm under 18) there were tons of cops out trying to bust people. Every other street I passed had a cop camped out. I use a bluetooth while driving even though now it's illegal for me to do it they can not pull you over just because they think you are under aged.
Yep, noticed the same thing. All over Southern California the police are out.
I have been out of town and had no idea that dialing was allowed. Nice! Although I find that very distracting and would guess it to be one of the more dangerous things while using a phone behind the wheel. I would think texting would be even more dangerous.
Nice to know I can still check my email though while stuck in traffic.
those people should be extra careful when visiting the US then
they could easily become so distracted by their phones they end up on the wrong side of the road
same goes for people from the US visiting the UK
I suspect that at some point the law will be amended to specifically prohibit doing anything that requires you to physically interact with the phone while driving, including dialing and texting. So, for now, using the iPhone is OK as long as you use it in speaker mode.
Research shows that even carrying on a conversation on a hands-free device impairs the driver. However, I don't think that any state will be able to completely ban talking on a cell phone while driving, nor will people give this up this capability.
For now, I'd be happy if Apple or some other third party came up with a way to let me voice dial my iPhone. That would let me use my Bluetooth car kit to dial as well as answer calls.
Amen. I saw a thread somewhere on this board that talked about some possible issues doing hands free dialing app development.
My car is BT ready but a convert. So, I use a BT Headset when the top is down. The moment that happens my car disconnects and I am stuck dialing by hand.
I can see where the law gets fuzzy dialing vs texting. How is an officer to know which one was happening? I think thats why they put in the fuzzy (no pun intended) rule that an officer can write you up if they feel you were doing something too distracting while driving.
CA law does not prohibit either dialing or texting. I doubt the law will be amended in the future, as the goal is to get drivers not to handle the phone and talk while driving. Dialing is no more distracting than say inputting addresses in the nav/GPS system or tinkering with the stereo.