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Hands free law kicks in today

California’s “hands free” and “hands off” laws go into effect today, July 1st. It's now illegal to drive a vehicle in the state of California while using a hand held cellular phone. Drivers under the age of 18 must comply with the “hands off” law, stating that drivers 17 and younger may not use a wireless telephone or hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle. The two laws were the result of SB 1613 and SB 33, authored by Senator Joe Simitian and signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in September 2006.

What are the fines?
First offenses earn a base fine of $20 and $50 for each subsequent offense. The violation will appear on your driving record, but a point will not be added to your license.

What are my options?

It will be legal to use a Bluetooth or other earpiece as long as both ears are not covered. You may also utilize the speakerphone function of your cell phone while driving. If you are planning on waiting in line and rushing the Apple doors on July 11 with the masses in pursuit of the new iPhone 3G, consider these compatible options:

iPhone Bluetooth Headset
$129.00
A single button lets you answer and end calls easily. The lithium-ion battery delivers up to 5.5 hours of talk time and up to 72 hours of standby time. However, this headset only received three out five customer rating stars on the Apple website, based on 861 reviews. Customers mainly complained of noise, static and dropped calls.
 
Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth Headset
$129.95
Based on 16 customer reviews, this headset received five out of five stars. Customers  say it is lightweight, comfortable and transmits clear sound quality. The elegantly simple design won style points with users.

Bang & Olufsen Earset 2 Right Ear Headset for iPhone
$349.95
Based on 43 customer reviews, this headset was awarded four and a half out of five stars. Many customers boast its unparalleled sound quality as well as its sleek design. Many say it is worth every precious penny.
 
Earbud Headset – Pantech
$19.99
If you’re not ready to invest in a pricier headset, consider a simple earbud/microphone wire. This AT&T wire is one of the most inexpensive out there. The sound quality may not compare to its more sophisticated relatives, but this headset will save you an inconvenient conversation with the cops.
 
For more information and FAQs about the new laws, visit http://www.dmv.ca.gov/cellularphonelaws/index.htm.
 

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