A while back California politicians had the brilliant idea to outlaw talking on your cell phone while driving unless you used a hands free device. In anticipation of this new law, millions of drivers purchased a bluetooth hands free device for their cell phone. I remember the first weekend seeing all kinds of dorky old people walking around in the mall or Costco with their bluetooth still on. It was like the law gave them the license to look like nerds. Anyway, since then, the use has steadily declined. I think I see 10x more people on their cell phones while driving than I see people with bluetooths. I could probably give out at least 5 tickets a day to offenders.
Im guessing there were some political contributions by all the manufacturers of those devices. Talk about a windfall!
Last 3 posts by Jason
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Dude, the cab drivers here love the blue tooths. (Blue teeth?)
They’re always chattering away in their native tongue. So annoying.
I know lots of people with Bluetooth built into their cars. There will always be people who disregard the law.
@Rachel: what’s the big deal if cabbie chatter on their native tongue? Lots of people get on their cell phone when try hop in cabs. Most of the time, they’re not talking that loud. Are you afraid that they’ll crash or something?
I didn’t get a bluetooth and I use my cell phone while driving. If I see a police officer, I say “hold on” to whoever I’m talking to and put the phone down for a few seconds. Yeah, that’s wrong I know, but it’s so convenient to talk while driving. But I hate it when other people do it, so I know I’m a big hypocrite.
I hadn’t thought about that before, the windfall profits for bluetooth companies. You might be right, I wonder if they pushed for the legislation in the first place.
Really though, even if everyone used bluetooth, it wouldn’t change the fact that their mind is elsewhere. It’s the mind, not the hands that make people retarded drivers while on their cell phone.
I would be scared to get into a cab where the driver is talking incessantly on his bluetooth because he clearly cannot concentrate on driving me safely, which is what I’m paying him to do.
If I don’t have my bluetooth with me (while driving in CA), I just put my phone on speaker.
no