Cell-phone law July 1 has sales of hands-free devices in high gear

A California law requiring drivers to hang up their use of handheld cell phones is more than a month away, but Southland retailers say they already are stocking up on Bluetooth and other hands-free devices amid ...

[rambo]

cell phone law stick it where the sun never shines in this dam dip crap state

[Kathy]

How about those who put on makeup, eat sandwiches, drink water, etc. while driving? If you are really concerned about safety do something. I've driven three times while on my cell phone. Never a problem and they were short conversations. I wouldn't do it on the freeway and I didn't hit dial until I reached a red light. Yes, also a driver on a cell phone almost hit me while changing lanes. Bad drivers are bad ones and good ones pay attention even if they are drinking something. Those who smoke in the cars have one hand on the wheel. I wonder how many traffic accidents have happened because of that. Wait we'll see no smoking in cars period. Nannyism here we come. Studies can be manipulated for effect and numbers can be skewed.

[Vic_Hern]

I for one will be greatful when this law becomes effective July 1, 2008.
I am frequently having to avoid drivers while talking on cell phones with the amount of driving that I do. Even driving with a hands free cell phone is a distraction, but much less of one allowing your to keep both hands on the steering wheel.
The fact that this law will be in effect soon will not immediatly change the way people drive. Unfortunately, the change will take place when drivers are hit with the fines.
Estimates of total fees begin at $76 for the first offense, and $190 for the second offense. That should be a wake up call for many to purchase a hands free unit.
I am an traffic school instructor, and still have yet to purchase my hands free device. Yes this will be a revenue builder for the courts and state, but the fact is it will save many lives and ultimately make our roads a bit safer.
www.web-trafficschool.com

[Vic_Hern]

Cathy you speak for yourself. You may be a good driver, but there are many out there that are not. And unable to talk and drive at the same time.
True driving while applying makeup, eating are not safe either.
Fact is they are both illegal already.

Code is...unsafe operation of a moving vehicle.

Police officers have always been able to issue tickets using this law.

It is only now becoming more specific.

[Tom_P]

Seat belt laws stink. Intrusive, and another way of the goverment ruling our lives.

[James]

I am not really sure how this law is going to affect safety on the roads. I was trying to learn more info about it and found http://handsfreephonelaw.com which helped me understand the new changes.

[JohnnyLaw]

Just a few days away from the enforcement of the new cell phone (hands free) law. Get ready people, our legislators and law enforcement officials are taking this subject very seriously.

Most drivers want to keep their driving record clean. Most likely will end up taking a course at www.web-trafficschool.com

[redpandabear]

does this mean more car chase on the T.V. news !!!

[Super Socco]

Although this new law goes into effect. It is up to the discretion of each county and law enforcement official's to enforce this new law. Although the $78 minimum first time offense fine amount might sting you may not need to go to traffic school. Some insurance companies may increase your premiums though, and in this case, you could go to www.lowbudgettraffic.com
So many retailers are looking forward to the additional revenue, so too are the courts, and city governments that share these new revenues.
Look forward to the hands free units coming to us with more funcionality and better values as the demand for them increases. Drive safe.

[Vhernande]

Just like the cell phone law is intrusive is the recently inacted seatbelt law.

How can you say seatbelts save lives, how can we be sure that drivers put on the seatbelts on correctly, that they did not use a faulty seatbelt. What is the true evidence is it out there for us to document and verify. I know that for the most part, statements like those are purely sepculation. I know that in some cases seatbelts dont help, and a few cases they actually harm. Dont get me wrong, I know that in general they save lives, but its so hard to prove.
When I was in an accident a few years back, I was injured and so were all the other passengers in the car. In fact on that morning we all happened to be wearing our seatbelts and were rear ending on a raining morning before school. I still remember like it was yesterday. In that instance, me wearing my seatbelt did not do much help, if any. But I cant speak for the other passengers. After attending a traffic school I found out that the driver at fault had his license suspended for 6 months and was still driving. I know that there are many other drivers out there like him, drivers that think its ok to continue driving even after their license is revoked or suspended or even the drivers that are on the road today that do not have automobile insurance. That is an even more common occurance. For what its worth, all these factors contribute to a more dangerous and risky task to drive on the highways today.

So whats the message should we just stop driving our cars? How would we get to work? How would we shop for food? There must be a better way to address this problem. With so many drivers on the road today, with their history of accidents and DMV driving points that look like a Lakers game or final score, what can we do? Make tougher restrictions on drivers, require more education and experience for the drivers that are permitted to drive, and especially focus on the younger drivers of america who dont have the experience.

[Craig]

May I make a comment?

It isn't hand held cell phones that should be banned in my opinion - instead it is the people who cannot handle driving with them. Yes, yes.. I know that this is next to impossible, but that is REALLY the only answer.

I am talking about the same people that will struggle with their bluetooth headsets, and be even more dangerous than ever before. The people who are constantly distracted and not paying attention to the road anyway! Should we make it a law that parents cannot have children in the car... Because they are WAY more distracting than a phone call.

You either get it or you don't.
Thoughts?

[Can you hear me now]

Hmmm. I wonder if there is a financial connection between a maker of hands-free devices and the politician who initiated this law on the books.

[redpandabear]

cell phone law is highway robbery!!!

[2_Yr_Contract]

Can you hear me now wrote:

Hmmm. I wonder if there is a financial connection between a maker of hands-free devices and the politician who initiated this law on the books.

You know there is!!!

[redpandabear]

there already chasing a guy on the 405 using his phone and only 2 day of this law!!!