It’s been a week since California and Washington enacted the hands-free driving bans and so far, there hasn’t been too much news on how the law has been going.  But as I’m sure you’ve heard, no news, is good news.  And while I think hands-free driving laws are going to make the roads a safer place to be, I have been pondering what would truly make these laws effective.  If you are wondering why I say this follow along … 

Recap of CA Hands-free Law

18 and Older:  As of July 1, California has banned the use of handheld cell phone devices while driving.  This means that all people 18+ must use a hands-free device.  If you break the law, your first offense will be $20 and for each subsequent offense, it will cost you $50.  Additional fees may also be applied.Younger than 18:  Cell phones are completely banned while driving.  You may not use any hands-free device either.  This is a strict law and you will be fined if you are caught.

How Much Do People Need to be Fined to Make the Law Effective?

After reviewing the law that is currently in place in California, I began to wonder if people would be affected by a $20 fine.  In all reality, people could go out and buy a cheap Bluetooth headset for around $30-$40 or they could spend more and get a really good headset such as the Jawbone 2 or BlueAnt Z9i.  Either way, it puzzles me to think how many people in California are actually abiding by the law.  Did every Californian go out and pick up a Bluetooth headset or are they taking their chances of getting caught and still using a handheld device?

Think about it.  There are millions of people in California and L.A. is packed tight of hard-working coasties.  What are the chances of a police officer pulling some over for using a cell phone while driving?  I mean, for the police (especially in L.A.) it is only a $20 ticket, and for the person well, it is only a $20 ticket.

How Much Should the Fine Be?

If you break the hands-free law in California, it won’t go on your record and you will only be charged $20.  As a driver, I don’t know how much this law would affect me.  I think the fine needs to be increased to $100 for the first offense, and double for each subsequent offense in order to truly be effective.  Granted, I have yet to be affected personally from the hands-free driving law, but as an outsider looking in, I believe people need to realize the severity of their actions.  Using a Bluetooth device is crucial … if you don’t, you’ll end up learning one way or the other.

Welcome to the hands-free club, California and Washington.  Today is the day that you can finally start driving with two hands on the wheel and make the world a better place.  According to Jed Kolko of Public Policy Institute of California, this new hands-free legislation will save 300 lives per year in California, and roughly one life per day.  These statistics are based on the results of other states (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut) that have all passed similar laws in recent years.  Kolko also explains that fatalities in New York, the first state to pass the hands-free law, have dropped consistently over the years.  Thus, he makes the conclusion that hands-free laws really do save lives.

Do You Support Hands-free Legislation?

Of course, there are many people who may oppose this newly enforced law.  But the bottom line is that laws are enacted for a reason, and hopefully this law will save lives.  When I first heard about Bluetooth technology, I was very skeptical.  I wasn’t sure if it was just another “quick fix” to an American problem of dangerous multi-tasking, or if it was a genuinely good product that could help society out.  And while I had to balance the pros and cons of this technology, I had soon realized that Bluetooth would soon be a household term.

Bluetooth is Good … Now Which Headset Should I Get?

In all reality, Bluetooth is the answer to some of our highway problems.  It makes sense to have two hands on the wheel and a headset in rather than one hand on the wheel and one hand on the phone.  So now that we’ve established that Bluetooth is a solution and not a problem, I will guide you to some of the best headsets available from Gammoth.  

Best Bluetooth Headset:  Jawbone 2   

The Jawbone 2 continues to impress by eliminating real world noise better than any other headset on the market.  This is the headset for any business professional on the move.  The Jawbone 2 has a creative, sleek design that makes for a fun, yet professional look.  By far, this is the best headset on the market … then again, you get what you pay for. 

Most Affordable Bluetooth Headset:  Jabra BT2040   

The Jabra BT2040 is probably the most convenient and affordable headset on the market.  The Jabra BT2040 never needs charging and lets you talk for up to 660 minutes.  Charged by a single AAAA battery, the Jabra BT2040 has automatic sleep mode as well as automatically pairing with your cell phone. 

Best of Both World’s Bluetooth Headset:  Motorola MotoPURE H12   

The Motorola MotoPURE H12 puts the noise on hold so your voice can be heard.  This is the first headset to feature CrystalTalk, which is the signature of audio technology even in the noisiest environment.  This headset is comfortable, light and stylish and even better, it provides great sound quality.  

Hands-free Laws are Here to Stay

The law is here and it’s going to stay.  Soon, it will be coming to a state near you.  In the time being, IDC analyst Ajit Deosthali believes that California will lead the way with the hands-free law and Bluetooth technology.  He said, “… the full implementation for California is a good thing, when you think about overall safety.”  He also noted that California has more drivers on the road than any other state and therefore, will lead the way for the rest of the country.  So California and Washington, go and get your Bluetooth headset today … or you’ll have to pay.

We’re all looking for a device that can pack as much function into one package as possible, as is evident with the smartphone boom and emphasized by increasingly productive cell phones such as the upcoming iPhone 2.0 and the Blackberry Bold. Enter the LG Decoy, who has taken the notion of a multi-tasking cell phone in a new direction. With a Bluetooth headset tucked right into the back of the handset, that you can remove and use whenever you like, and then return to its handy hiding spot when you would rather do things the old-fashioned way, LG has made a statement. 

Doing Double Duty

A sleek slider phone barely larger than the LG Chocolate VX8550, the Decoy has a stylish with a shiny mirror front and a unique royal blue back plate. Complete with a 2MP Camera & Camcorder, EV-DO, a music player, 1000-entry contact list and VCast support, this is a great phone even without the integrated headset. But the included Bluetooth headset is more than just a cherry on top of this already great product - it sets it apart completely from any competition. The first phone to bring this idea to fruition is enjoying its spot as the only handset/Bluetooth headset combination on the market today.

Specifications  

Network:

• CDMA Dual Band (800/1900 MHz)
• CDMA2000 1xRTT/1xEV-DO rev.0
• 3G Capabilities

Size:

• TBD

Battery:

• Li-Ion

Display:

• 240 by 320 pixels
• 262 144 colors, TFT

Digital Camera:

• 2.0 megapixels Resolution
• Includes Digital Camcorder (Video)
• Self-Timer, Mirror

Multimedia:

• Supports Video Playback
• Supports MP3 audio files

Connectivity:

• WAP 2.0
• Micro USB
• Bluetooth Enabled (duh!)
• Headset Audio Jack (2.5mm)

Other:

• Caller groups supported, 1000-names capacity, Multiple Numbers Per Contact, Picture ID, Ring ID
• Alarm, Calendar, Calculator, Stopwatch, Notepad
• Dialing, Recording, Speaker Phone
• Supports Brew
• Supports Email
• Supports GPS

The Bottom Line

The obvious concern here is whether an integrated product like this will perform well in both areas. Has LG delivered 2 great products in one organized package? Or are we sacrificing quality for convenience? According to a few well-written reviews, including CNet’s, LG pulled it off. Both the handset and the headset deliver clear sound and good service, along with impressive battery life for both sub-products. For a consumer looking for both a new phone and Bluetooth headset, this is a great option for its compact shape, unique storage & charging options (the Bluetooth headset can charge in the handset) - and the organization of the whole package can’t be beat.