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July 1, 2008
Hello, New Cell Phone Law
It's been all the rage and everyone is talking about it -- today is day one of the new cell phone law. No more putting that phone to your ear unless it's an emergency. Otherwise, it's all about ear pieces or in-car systems (for more info on help buying the system for you, check out this post from LAist).
And if you choose to break the law, it will be depend on where you are, if you are seen and if the officers choose to pull you over. The California Highway Patrol has been the most vocal about no grace periods while San Diego and Oceanside are sticking to the beachside ethos and relaxing into the law with a 30-day grade period before tickets are actually issued. In Los Angeles and other areas where there are police shortages, officers will use their discretion.
Stores have been busy with sales of ear pieces. The Apple Store in Sherman Oaks keeps on running out of the iPhone ear pieces and was in low supply of other pieces last night, according to one manager.
Photo by Mike "Dakinewavamon" Kline via Flickr
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Surprisingly, I only saw one person (a woman) driving in her new Mercedes this morning with a phone to her ear - outside the Kids Club on in Pasadena, where everyone needs to pay attention since there are a lot of kids around. But then again, I have a 5 minute drive.
Grace period, grace period? This law passed in the end of 2006. 2006 - I think 1 1/2 years is pretty damn sufficient for people to have gone out and bought either a wired ($5 - $60) or a wireless ($19.99 to $150) headset. $5 dollars people, that's cheaper than what gas will be in 2 months.
If people are too damn cheap or lazy, then http://www.freeheadset.org/home.php will ship you a free one (wired of course)for about $4.
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"Blah,blah,blah,blah... Hold on"
[set's phone down]
"Cop?"
"yeah. Whew. blah,blah,blah,mall,blah. OMG, hold on."
"Just text me back..."
Sigh
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"Blah,blah,blah,blah... Hold on"
[set's phone down]
"Cop?"
"yeah. Whew. blah,blah,blah,mall,blah. OMG, hold on."
"Just text me back..."
Sigh
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21st-century Californians seem to have a bigger love affair with their cellphones than their cars. So perhaps, $4+ gas notwithstanding, this will get even more people onto alternative forms of transportation.
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Voice activated technology in cars will only get bigger and bigger, yes? Isn't this the natural progression for safety...and productivity? Coming soon: hands-free eating and make-up application...
http://blogs.cisco.com/news/comments/look_ma_no_hands/
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Yet, I still question why snobs in new Bimmers have their earpieces on behind the wheel. C'mon people, iDrive isn't that hard to operate!