SB 1613, a new California hands-free cellular telephone law signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, goes into effect July 1,2008. The law prohibits the use of a cell phone in a moving vehicle unless the driver is using a hands-free device.
The new law prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from using any type of cell phone while driving. Anyone over 18 can drive and talk on the phone while using a hands-free device.
Specifically, SB 1613 will:
l Prohibit the use of cell phones by drivers unless the driver is using a hands-free device starting July 1, 2008.
l Allow drivers of commercial vehicles to use push-to-talk phones until July 1, 2011.
l Allow drivers to make emergency phone calls without using a hands-free device.
l Allow drivers of emergency response vehicles to use cell phone without a hands-free device.
For violators, the first offense will cost $20, and it will be a $50 penalty for each additional offense.
California Highway Patrol data show that more than 1,000 crashes, injuring 447 people, were blamed on drivers using a hand-held cellular phone in 2007,
“The simple fact is it’s dangerous to talk on your cell phone while driving. CHP data show that cell phones are the number one cause of distracted-driving accidents,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger. “So getting people’s hands off their phones and onto their steering wheels is going to make a big difference in road safety. The ‘Hands-Free’ cell phone bill will save lives by making our roads safer. I want to thank Senator Simitian for authoring this bill and for his commitment to the safety of his fellow Californians.”
What does the new law mean for employers? If employees have to use a cell phone while driving to perform their work, the employer must provide them with a hands-free device so they can comply with the law. The device can be bought by employer and given to employees, or the employer can agree to pay employees back for reasonable costs. However, if employees don’t have to use cell phones while driving but choose to do so only for their own convenience, then the employer is not required to provide or pay for a device.
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Salespeople may tell you that Bluetooth earpieces are the low-cost solution to hands-free calling -- but a closer look reveals these claims to be misleading.
Here is a list of disadvantages that the earpiece manufacturers and resellers don't want you to know about:
Nearly all Bluetooth earpieces have an internal battery that can't be removed. These batteries have a short life of approximately 300 charges, or approximately one earpiece per year (less if you recharge every day). And prices range from $20-$300, averaging about $50.
The earpiece can't be used while it is charging.
The earpieces don't fit everyone comfortably. One size definitely doesn't fit all; yet you cannot try the earpiece before you buy.
The earpieces are uncomfortable for those who wear glasses or sunglasses.
For reasons of hygiene, the earpieces should not be shared.
Earpieces are easily lost, stolen, or broken.
Bluetooth headsets, on average, last just 26 hours when not in use and only 2 to 3 hours when talking.
The life of the battery starts to decline once you begin to use it, hence the talk time and standby time decreases.
Many users purchase more than one Bluetooth earpiece, then finally give up and buy an integrated Bluetooth car kit.
Potential harmful effects from radiation through the earpiece.
Most people find the earpieces uncomfortable and ugly, and/or experience lousy audio quality.
Many people will buy the earpiece believing it is more cost effective, ultimately they end up buying an integrated car kit because they just find it cumbersome to use.
ww.safewireless.com
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