I don't know about you, but I'm pretty happy about the new hands-free cell phone law that went into affect yesterday. I've had too many close calls out on the road because drivers who can't put down their cell phones.
On a good day, it's a swervy car, nearly side swiping into me as they drift into my lane with a phone stuck to their ear. On not-so-good days, I've seen drivers run through red lights, obliviously chatting away with one hand on the steering wheel with another propping up their hand-held cell phones. I get an uneasy, queasy feeling whenever that happens. What if I hadn't waited those few seconds before stepping on the gas right when my light turned green?
Well, I needed to get a new phone in preparation for the new hand-free cell phone law that just went into effect on July 1st in California.
My current cell phone had been dropped one too many times. It was a Motorola Razor. The sleek new model. But, it's just wasn't a practical choice for me. It's just too thin, and I'd lose my grip with it too easily. Plus, I'd have to flip it open every time to answer the phone.
As I looked for a hand held model that didn't require me to flip it open to answer, I learned the latest cell phone style is the "slider models". It just slides open with a nudge.
Cool. I hope it lasts longer than my other cell phones. I collected my old, broken cell phones from around the house (TJ plays with them), spread them out on the lawn. Lo, and behold, I have a cell phone to represent each year of being a mom:
Prenatal Year: Nokia (most durable - had it for few years)
TJ's Infant Year: Sony Ericsson (cheapest model - Flip Phone - poor sound quality)
TJ's Toddler Year: Motorola Razor (Flip Phone - way too fragile)
TJ's 2nd Year: Samsung (Slider Phone)
I ended up getting a really good deal at Costco for the Samsung, better than buying directly online from AT&T ($19.99 plus free carrying case + car adapter vs. $29.99 with no accessories).
One strange thing about this new law, though. It's definitely a good move for safety. According to an article in the San Jose Mercury News, "more than 4,000 people die in traffic accidents each year.." The state expects the hands-free law will decrease this number to 300.
But, it also said the new law does NOT include text messaging, which is more dangerous than talking on the phone. And this text messaging is what teenagers do driving!
Strange they didn't make text messaging in the car illegal too. So, watch out for teens out there on the road..
4 comments:
I'm inclined to wonder if the problem is the person holding the phone up to his ear or the actual distraction of talking on the phone.
But I totally agree with text messaging. It should be banned altogether!
I believe, however, that currently it is banned for 17 and under, but 18 and up are free to text away.
Also, I believe that, on Jan. 1st the text messaging law may be revised... not a hundred percent sure, just what I've been hearing.
"But, it also said the new law does NOT include text messaging".
That's just crazy! I hope it's just a loophole and that the law will be changed to include text messaging.
Nette & Vered - Yeah, it's just strange they wouldn't have include text messaging in the law as well.
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