State's drivers answer call to go hands-free

Hands-free devices

For those who want to continue using their cell phones while driving and don't now have appropriate equipment, there are several options.

The key is whether their existing cell phone is Bluetooth-equipped, said Edward Staehlin Jr., Motorola's director of product development.

Without a wireless phone-equipped Bluetooth, a limited-range wireless communication system, a cell phone is limited to an ear piece-microphone linked to the phone by a thin wire. Those devices are typically available for $10 to $50 depending on their fit and sophistication.

For Bluetooth-equipped phones, a variety of devices are available ranging from a simple earbud and microphone to sophisticated device wired into the car's entertainment system.

Here are the options, said Staehlin:

Wireless headset

These range from dime-sized wireless buds that fit into the ear almost invisibly to larger headsets with small boom microphones that extend along the jaw line. The advantage of these is that they're portable and can be worn inside and outside the car. The user can put his phone in his pocket and talk while doing virtually any task including driving, shopping or walking down the corridors at an airport. If your phone is equipped to recognize voice commands, you don't have to dial, creating a significant safety advantage. Comfort is an issue here, say experts. You won't use it if it feels awkward or uncomfortable. There's also the quirkiness factor as people see and hear you talking and gesturing to yourself in an animated fashion. Sometimes it's enough for others to question your mental stability.

Typically you tap the earpiece to answer a call or to turn it off. Wearing the earpiece, of course, can compromise your hearing in one ear, not a bad thing sometimes when there are people you'd rather not hear.

Prices range from about $40 to $150 or more depending on the style, size or "bling factor."

Clip-on remote with built-in speaker and microphone

These clip-ons typically attach to the sun visor. Most are about the size of a deck of cards. They contain the circuitry to communicate wirelessly to your phone, a speaker and a microphone. With these, there's no issue of ear comfort or of bulk, but its best to get one well-rated for screening out ambient noise so those with whom you're talking don't hear wind or engine noise that drowns out your voice.

Then there's the issue of speaker volume. A remote whose speaker clarity and volume works well in your whisper-quiet Lexus won't do in your old F-150 Ford pickup. Cost: $70 to $110.

Remote with the ability to transmit to the vehicle's entertainment system

Such a system provides the same capabilities as the regular clip-on remote, but they transmit their signals to a vacant station on your entertainment dial and you hear your calls, and in many cases, music stored on your phone or music player through your car's megawatt, multi-speaker system.

The advantage, of course, is that your 14-speaker, 450-watt entertainment system is much clearer than the one-inch speaker on a clip-on remote. The more sophisticated systems automatically interrupt your music or radio show when a call comes in. Like the clip-on system, these are surprisingly easy to set up and are portable so you can easily take it in your other car or in a rental without much hassle.

Having a portable hands-free system is almost a necessity if you travel because an increasing number of states don't allow hand-held cell phones to be used in cars. Being portable, the device is transferable when you buy a new car. The devices also are a kind of back door way to play your catalog of songs you've built on your Bluetooth-enabled music player through your car stereo system that doesn't have a jack to connect the player directly. Prices: $120 to $180.

Wired-in permanently installed Bluetooth devices

Theses devices play calls, voice mail and songs on the car's stereo. The least obtrusive and also the most expensive of the Bluetooth devices, installing these devices usually cost $150 to $300 depending on the complexity and accessibility of the entertainment system. That's in addition to the $150 to $300 cost of these devices.

The biggest advantage of these devices besides their stealth appearance is that they don't have to be recharged, an issue with the other three devices here. All must renew themselves either from the car's power supply or from a home outlet. But it's also impractical to take them out and move them to another car.

John Gillie, The News Tribune
Other states

The National Conference of State Legislatures says that as of July 1, the District of Columbia and six states will have outlawed the use of a hand-held phone while driving. They are California, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Washington and Utah. The laws have exemptions for emergency personnel and emergency situations.

Local bans are in effect in such places as Chicago and Santa Fe, N.M.

• Washington banned text messaging while driving effective Jan. 1. New Jersey followed suit, and Minnesota recently passed it.

30 states and Washington, D.C., now have some law related to cell phones and cars — including 18 states that restrict young or novice drivers from using a cell phone. Oregon is among 10 states that pre-empt local jurisdictions from acting on the law.


Links

•State's new law regarding cell phone use in cars: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite46.61.667

•Analysis of the law and its history: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill5037&year2007

Studies and reports on distracted drivers

•National Conference of State Legislatures: www.ncsl.org/magazine/articles/2008/08SLMay08_Driving.htm

•Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study: www.vtnews.vt.edu/news_print/index.php?relyear2006&itemno237

•Insurance Institute for Highway Safety link to various studies, including 2005 report showing cell users had four times higher risk of crash: www.iihs.org/research/topics/cell_phones.html