IINC Outlines Affordable Options for New Hands-Free Cell Phone Law


In less than a month, Californians who want to drive and talk will have to do so with both hands on the wheel.

The new hands-free cell phone laws will require adults who talk on the phone while driving to use a hands-free device, and prohibits teen drivers from phoning while driving altogether.

But drivers don’t have to break the bank to comply with the new laws.
Most cell phones are already sold with a wired “ear bud,” or a corded in-ear headset. By putting it to use, drivers are already in compliance with the new law without spending any extra money.

Starting at about $20 – and ranging into the hundreds of dollars – drivers can opt for wireless Bluetooth headsets, speakerphones and built-in communications systems.

“Complying with the new law may be as simple as plugging in that headset you got when you purchased your phone,” said Candysse Miller, executive director of the Insurance Information Network of California. “Compliance can be as inexpensive or expensive as you want it to be. The right hands-free device is the one that you’ll use consistently.”
 
IINC’s new podcast series, IINC Spots, currently features examples of hands-free cell options available to California drivers. The video can be viewed at www.iincspots.com or downloaded for free from iTunes.

Ultimately, talking on the phone while driving is a distraction that should be avoided if possible, Miller said. Recent studies have shown that drivers talking on cell phones are 30 percent more likely to crash than other drivers.

California’s new hands-free driving rules are actually two laws: one for adults and one for teens.

• Adults 18 years and older may talk on a cell phone while driving provided they use a hands-free device. This is a primary infraction: Drivers can be pulled over and cited if a law enforcement officer sees them holding a phone to their ear.

• Teen drivers under age 18 cannot use a phone while driving at all, including for text messaging. For this age group, violation of the cell phone rules is a secondary offense. In other words, they must be pulled over for another infraction in order to be cited for breaking the cell phone law.

All drivers may use a cell phone to report an emergency to police or fire authorities.

Many cell phones also have speakerphones already built-in – just be careful to set the phone down or place it in a holder to put it safely to use while you’re on the road.

The fine for driving while using a cell phone without a hands-free device is $20 for a first offense and $50 for a second offense, but with court costs can range from $76 to $190. Neither infraction will result in a point being added to a drivers’ record.

IINC is a nonprofit, non-lobbying communications association representing the property/casualty industry. For more information, visit our Web site at www.iinc.org.