A bluetooth day for the sunshine state
Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/5mv7fh
Starting July 1st 2008, 2 new laws are in effect for using cell phones while driving automobiles in the state of california.
- The first prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle, (Vehicle Code (VC) §23123). Motorists 18 and over may use a “hands-free device.”
- Drivers under the age of 18 may NOT use a wireless telephone or hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle (VC §23124).
Even out of state drivers will be fined/cited if caught using a cell phone without a hands free device. A detailed FAQ from DMV of California is available here.
The new laws come as a boon to manufacturers of Bluetooth hands free devices. After California, other states are expected to follow suit. Currently, only 5 states (California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Washington), the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands have enacted cell phone laws prohibiting driving while talking on handheld cell phones.
So, what choices to drivers have? A plethora of Bluetooth headsets, speaker phones and hands free add on car kits are available for purchase online or from your nearby retailer like BestBuy, Circuit City etc. If you don’t own a phone that has bluetooth, you should get one OR get one with speakerphone capabilities. 
The cheapest options include headsets which are available for about $30 from manufacturers like Plantronics, Jabra, Motorola etc. BT3010 shown on the right sells on Amazon for $21.86.
The Jabra SP5050, a Bluetooth speakerphone, shown above retails for $89.99 Best Buy and pairs with Bluetooth enabled phones. Jabra devices are sold through retailers like Best Buy , Fry’s and Walmart. Other more fancier and feature rich hands free car kits are available from Parrot like the Parrot MK6100 shown below which sell for $299.99.
California Exceptions:
- The law allows a driver to use a wireless telephone to make emergency calls to a law enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department, or other emergency services agency.
- Operators of an authorized emergency vehicle during the course of employment are exempt, as are those motorists operating a vehicle on private property.
California fines: The base fine for the FIRST offense is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions. With the addition of penalty assessments, the fines can be more than triple the base fine amount.
SOURCE: DMV, GHSA
