Monday, August 27, 2012

NEW CA LAW ALLOWS HANDS-FREE TEXTING WHILE DRIVING


NEW LAW ALLOWS HANDS-FREE TEXTING IN CALIFORNIA – WHILE DRIVING!

It sounds like the California Legislature has caved as they have passed a new law that allows hands-free texting while driving in California.  Beginning January 1, 2013, it will be LEGAL to TEXT while you drive –AS LONG AS YOU DON’T TOUCH YOUR PHONE.

That’s right.  Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill that will allow California drivers to TEXT while driving as long as they are using “hands-free” technology.  And when they say “hands-free” they mean “hands-free.”  Although the new law sounds like it is backpeddling, under the new law you will not be able to touch your phone to text.  

Doing so would be a violation of the law and would still warrant a ticket.

So for all you iPhone users out there…. It’s time to lobby Apple to start making deals with auto-makers out there to make Apple software compatible with your vehicles. Same with Google and its Androids.  Because just the act of turning on your phone or pushing any of its buttons while driving is enough to still get you a citation.  Siri cannot help you here.  iPhones require that you push the Siri button to activate the capabilities. Androids require pushing a Google App.  Same with other phones.  However, if your phone can be controlled from your steering wheel or voice alone, then you’re in luck.

But is this a good thing?  Matt Kaminsky, president and CEO of BESTtrafficschool.com, doesn’t think so.

Kaminsky:

“Anything that takes your attention away from the road is dangerous.  Physical distractions, such as pushing buttons and turning knobs, are only one type of distraction.  Mental distractions are just as dangerous.  Texting, emailing, posting to facebook – all these things take mental focus, even if verbalized.  My fear is that by giving drivers these capabilities, we’re encouraging them to use them even more, and increasing the dangers rather than diminishing them.”

In an attempt to sell more vehicles, auto-makers are trying to load new cars with as many bells and whistles as possible, such as hands-free commands for auto functions.  It’s no wonder that the bill, AB 1536, also known as the “Freedom to Communicate” act, was sponsored by the auto industry.

Really?  Do we really need more freedom to communicate in our vehicles?  Have our freedoms truly been compromised by restricting texting while driving?  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2009, 5,474 people were killed in the U.S. and an estimated 448,000 were injured in motor vehicles that were reported to have involved distracted driving.

With numbers like – go ahead and restrict my “freedoms.” 

What do you think?

1 comment:

  1. I didn't know that California made a new law about texting and driving. It's always been my understanding that you could get ticketed for any kind texting and driving, including texting hands free, but it seems like my assumption was wrong. It sounds like the people who passed the law were following the same thought process behind the law that allows people to talk on their cell phones, as long as it's hands frees, just like the new texting law. Although, hands free texting is something that's now legal, I think that we should still be teaching our young teenage drivers during their driving school courses to not use their phones while they're driving. It can still be dangerous for young drivers to be driving distracted, like you've pointed out.

    Sophie Green | http://www.aaapds.net/

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