Aceshardware

who? · Joined: 01 Sep 2007 Posts: 464

Starting the 1st of July, it will be forbidden to hold your phone while driving in California, when you visit us from outside, please make sure you equipe yourselve with Bluetooth headset, or an hand free kit.
Gouvernator said that he will have the cops reenforcing this law starting the 1st.

I know a lot of you will show up at IDF, plan for this.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/index.htm

who?

MadRat · Joined: 22 Jul 2007 Posts: 128

Quite a few states back East have rules on headsets, too. Only one ear can have a microphone for you automobile trotting types.

cornelius785 · Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 68

i like the concept of these laws, but from my understanding, it is pretty easy to get out of a ticket (in connecticut atleast). it was something about needing to show your hands free device in X hours, but i'm not sure how accurate this is any more.

j3pflynn · Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 15

As far as I'm concerned, if it's important enough for you to be talking, it's important enough to pull over. It's not just phone operation that is the problem; it's the fact that the human brain doesn't multitask well(at least not well enough to bet other peoples lives on it), when you're involved in a conversation, your attention is elsewhere.

lux_interior · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 235

People phoning while driving are really dangerous to others (that they are dangerous to themselves bothers me less obviously), especially in urban traffic. I think it is forbidden here in France too.

PS: this thread should probably be in the off-topic section

Pjotr · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 130

j3pflynn wrote:

As far as I'm concerned, if it's important enough for you to be talking, it's important enough to pull over. It's not just phone operation that is the problem; it's the fact that the human brain doesn't multitask well(at least not well enough to bet other peoples lives on it), when you're involved in a conversation, your attention is elsewhere.

This is why Sweden, as one of few countries in Europe still, does not have any law covering use of mobile phones while driving. Our traffic rules states you have to drive safe and pay attention to your surroundings. Being busy tuning your radio, talk in the phone, typing text messages, read the newspaper (happened!), shave (happened!) or breast feed (happened!) is considered dangerous driving and will be fined. None of the above is specifically mentioned in any traffic rules.