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Oscar2

Jan 20, 2008, 8:38 AM

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Cell Phone Safety

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Every now and then, an item hits the market, which offers convenience and user-friendly features but more important offers safety. Cell phones are a real convenience these days but can be dangerous and troublesome to use especially while driving in heavy traffic.

Two of our newer vehicles have factory Blue-Tooth technology built-into the Navigational/Radio system one can easily get used too and feel allot safer using the cell hands-free while driving.

Last week I picked-up off the shelves a new item called a Wireless LCD Hands-Free Car Kit, from Costco. Unlike the Blue Tooth ear phone one has to wear on their ear, this unit clips onto your sun visor and has LCD readout of numbers received and called. Most new cells have Voice Command dialing and if yours does the VRBT200V automatically will dial your voice commands without you ever having to touch your cell.

I purchased one from Costco for $39 US and change. We’re still working with it in one of our other vehicles without Blue-Tooth built in and thus far, it’s pretty decent. If for whatever reason during your Costco local grace period, it doesn’t work out for you, they have a good return policy, at least NoB they do. I’m not sure if your local Mexico Costco stocks them just yet but it’s something you maybe interested in for convenience.

http://www.roadmasterusa.com/vr3_bluetooth.html

raferguson

Jan 21, 2008, 7:51 PM

Post #2 of 4 (2150 views)

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Re: [Oscar2] Cell Phone Safety

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The studies that I have seen indicate that hands-free devices do not reduce the risk of cellphone use in cars. It is the conversation, not one hand on the phone, that is the distraction. The studies I remember use driving simulators to measure the degree of impairment, and carrying on a cell phone conversation while driving is very detrimental. To quote one study,

The phone conversation itself resulted in significant slowing in the response to simulated traffic signals, as well as an increase in the likelihood of missing these signals. Moreover, the fact that hand-held and hands-free cell phones resulted in equivalent dual-task deficits indicates that the interference was not due to peripheral factors such as holding the phone while conversing.

Cutting through the jargon, it says that using a hands-free phone conversation impairs your driving as much as a hand-held phone conversation.

The hands-free safety concept is being promoted by the cell phone companies who don't want to see cell phone decline if people stop talking on the cell phone in traffic, and who don't want laws to be tougher on cell phone use. It is really a scam.

The bumper sticker says "Hang up and drive". It has it right.

At the same time, I admit that I occasionally talk on the phone while driving, but I try to avoid it, especially in heavy traffic.

Richard

http://www.fergusonsculpture.com

Ron Pickering W3FJW

Jan 21, 2008, 9:52 PM

Post #3 of 4 (2144 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Cell Phone Safety

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How about the jokers that balance their coffee cup and donut while driving and trying to change their pants.....
Getting older and still not down here.

Oscar2

Jan 22, 2008, 8:30 AM

Post #4 of 4 (2125 views)

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Re: [raferguson] Cell Phone Safety

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Opinion’s are like …… everybody got one. Credence to opinions is just another opinion. Since you threw in yours, I’ll take it as an invite for mine. I’ve had both hand held and factory built-in Hand Free units in my cars for five years now. You haven’t. From past experience, I can swear by how ease of use mine has been. Hands Free, has saved me from near misses I previously experienced while trying to dial numbers, check for a number and just toy around with the cell phone with one hand and holding the steering wheel with the other while still trying to drive in heavy traffic at the same time. You and most know what I’m talking about.

For several years now, all I have to do is conveniently press one button mounted on the steering wheel and say Call - So&So, it rings, my party answers, we talk. The music on my stereo automatically mutes and conversations are carried on in full stereo. I keep both hands on the steering wheel, I’m able to focus on the road only, no hand manipulations, no trying to dial or hold the phone with one hand and trying to steer with the other, none of that.

When done, they hang up and automatically it disconnects and the stereo music or program returns to the same volume level. I contend, Hands Free cell calls are safer then having an ongoing conversation with passengers while driving and periodically turning your head away from the road as you laugh, giggle and make unsafe gesticulations and turn your head toward them as you do in normal conversation.

But hey, then again, it’s different strokes …. By choice, hands down, Hands Free is my choice any day. Face it, Cell phones and the like are here to stay for a while. As for scams, there are ten scams out there, for every one that isn’t. Take your pick. I understand there are new laws in the making or already in force, whereby Hands Free cell setups for safety reasons are going to be the norm and mandatory.

Check it out:

http://weblog.infoworld.com/...archives/007918.html