| In certain states, the use of cell phones while driving has been banned, punishable by fines. In other states, laws are being debated and studies are underway to also ban cell phone use by automobile drivers. Even certain cities have gone one step ahead of their state legislators and preemptively banned the use of mobile phones while driving. In almost every area that has imposed restrictions on cell phone use while operating a vehicle, there is an exception to the rule, the use of hands free cell phones and hands free car kits.
Holding a phone up to one’s ear while driving not only takes a hand off of the steering wheel, but it also serves as a distraction. Switching ears for comfort, concern about dropping the phone, and paying more attention to the device on your ear rather than driving contributes to many accidents on the roadways. The theory behind hands free kits is that by removing many of the distractions that a cell phone creates will help make driving safer for everyone involved.
Hands free mobile devices come in all different shapes, sizes, and technologies. The most common hands free phone feature is the speaker phone. Most cell phones nowadays have the option to use a speaker phone for calls. Like regular speaker phones, those on cell phones sometimes offer less than adequate sound quality. To provide a quality hands free phone experience, the cell phone user should look into one of the various hands free headsets on the market. Hands free headsets come either through a wire connecting an earpiece and microphone to the phone, or through a wireless technology like Bluetooth. Bluetooth hands free devices have become increasingly popular due to their comfort and ease of use. Bluetooth headsets slip right over the ear and connect effortlessly to the phone. Calls can be made without even touching the dial pad if the phone is equipped with voice activated dialing.
Since the hands free headsets still require a small amount of interaction with the phone itself to make calls, unless the phone can utilize voice dialing, hands free car kits may be what the hands free advocates are truly looking for. Hands free car kits can work one of two ways as well. Bluetooth devices generally require the user to plug the cell phone into the lighter outlet while the Bluetooth from the phone connects directly into the hands free device. The voice activation then allows for the driver to have a complete hands free experience. Another way that hands free car kits can connect to a phone is over the car’s stereo system. Like the Bluetooth devices, the phone plugs into the car’s lighter. A microphone then clips over the earpiece of the phone itself. When a call comes in, switching to a channel, usually 88.7, will then let the caller’s voice be heard over the sound system. The phone’s microphone is used for the driver to talk to the caller on the other end.
As more and more states look into passing laws that ban cell phone use while operating a vehicle, hands free devices will become a necessary accessory for every cell phone user.
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