In Washington State a new law went into affect on July 1st, requiring drivers talking on cell phones to be hands free. The new law is meant to make the roads safer for all drivers and I suppose it is a good law to keep people focused on the road.
What I have experienced in the past week is some difficulty making the adjustment. First, I found a bluetooth that I thought would work for me, which took time to research and money to buy.
I decided on the Plantronics 
model for a cost of about $60.
After finding the one for me, I then went to connect it with my Treo Palm, 
which was only a problem because I didn't know the password, but after looking through the manual found it to be easy to sync.
Once having my phone and bluetooth in sync it was time to hit the road. Does anyone else feel like an alien with that thing hanging from their ear? Well, I did, so I took it off.
Now here is where I feel it is more dangerous with the new law, but I really don't want a ticket. 
While driving, my ringtone interrupted my concentration and things got a bit hectic. Rather than just answering the phone as usual, I now had to find my bluetooth, tossed in the passenger seat, hook it to my ear, press the button and hope it all worked.
Well, it didn't. Apparently, I had to turn the bluetooth on with the phone, then push the little button on the bluetooth to answer my call.
I missed it - the call I mean -and my next turn.
So, I then checked my voicemail, still careful to follow the rules of the road so not to end up like this guy. 
or get a ticket from the guy in my rearview mirror. 
In the end, I was able to call the person back on my bluetooth and make it safely to my destination. Hopefully, I'll get better at this with more practice, but at this time, I think it is just as dangerous with the new law.
Let me know your thoughts or experiences with cell phones and driving, especially if you are in a state with a hands-free law.
;)
;)
In Sacramento County, it also became a law as of July 1 to be hands free. I went to Costco and purchased the hands free deivce that goes on the visor of your car. I already had a samsung ear piece, but hated the feel of it even though it was so small. The speaker that goes on the visor is clear and so easy to use. If you have someone in the car that does not need to hear the conversation or maybe your noisy kids, their is an ear piece that you can use. The people I am speaking to, comment on how clear it is and I love just talking and not having to worry about the ear piece falling out or not being able to hear the person. I highly recommend the the speaker unit on the visor!