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In The News: State's Ban on Cell Phones while Driving has meant Thousands of Fines

New Jersey transportation officials say a year-old state law banning cell phone use while driving has resulted in nearly 109,000 summonses issued in the past 11 months.

That's almost double the amount of tickets handed out during the previous five years for the offense.

A state law signed on March 1 last year makes talking on hand-held cell phones while driving a primary offense. That means police are now able to stop motorists just for talking on the phone.

Division of Highway Safety director Pam Fischer said the primary law is making a difference, resulting in about 10,000 tickets a month.

New Jersey is among four states and the District of Columbia that have made using a cell phone while driving a primary offense.

Right Up: Still Talking, With Hands at 10 and 2

INCREASINGLY, it is the law of the land. But it is also just common sense: Driving while holding a cellphone is a lousy idea.

Six states, including New York and New Jersey, as well as the District of Columbia, have banned holding a cellphone while driving and, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 23 more state governments are considering similar bans.

Such laws do not prohibit talking on a cellphone — only that you use a hands-free device (usually an earpiece or a speakerphone accessory) so that both hands stay on the wheel. Of course, some studies suggest that banning hand held cellphones while driving does not go far enough — that maintaining any phone conversation is too distracting for the driver.

But if the proliferation of people randomly bursting into monologues on city streets is any indication, many people prefer hands-free communication even when they’re on foot. Some of that growth is linked to legislation, some to lower prices, but another factor is the evolution of hands-free technology that has yielded better sound quality and stronger privacy measures.

Hands-free devices are generally split into two categories: earpieces and speakerphone units. Because they can be used behind the wheel or while walking (or cooking, or gardening), earpieces have been far more popular.

Early Bluetooth accessories suffered from a dreaded malady known as “pairing syndrome.” In order to establish a wireless connection to your handset, an earpiece or speakerphone would trade codes over the air. This often led to repeated code inputs on the part of the owner, as the pairing process was about as unreliable as could be. Common side effects included high-decibel profanity, increased blood pressure and hurling the device across the room.

Fortunately, most new Bluetooth accessories “auto pair.” You may need to enter the code the first time, but you do it just once. After that, the device will remember the secret handshake and pair up with your handset automatically.

Bluetooth earpieces have also improved in sound quality. Earpieces like the Aliph Jawbone Prime ($130), the BlueAnt Q1 ($130) and the Jabra BT530 ($80) all use multiple microphones. While their specific technologies differ, the principle is the same: One microphone sits by your mouth to pick up your voice while another sits higher on the earpiece to pick up ambient audio. Using some fancy software, the earpiece determines which sound is your voice and then filters out the background noise.

The Sound ID 300 ($120) has three settings, each increasing the frequency range in which people most commonly lose their hearing as they age. It also will automatically adjust the volume when the environmental noise changes.

The Q1 takes a short list of voice commands, so it will announce the number calling and users can just say “answer” to take the call. The only hitch is that users must memorize the precise phrases required for it to act on the commands.

But in spite of the capabilities of earpieces, some people just do not want them. For them, speakerphone accessories provide a true hands- (and body-) free option. These devices can clip to a car’s sun visor or protrude from the cigarette lighter plug. Usually called “car kits,” these sets don’t do as well sorting out voice from noise, but because of the larger size, they can incorporate features not often found in headsets.

The Motorola T505 Motorokr, which costs $140, does its best to provide many of the same features found in factory-installed systems in new cars. Using an onboard FM transmitter, it will play incoming calls over a car’s speakers, and it can play music files from a phone with stereo Bluetooth. If you don’t need the music-playing features, consider Motorola’s other speakerphone, the T305, which costs $70.

Some Bluetooth kits offer text-to-speech and voice command, like the BlueAnt Supertooth 3, which costs $100. The Supertooth loads contacts from your phone when it links. When a known contact calls, the Supertooth speaks the name aloud (albeit in a somewhat robotic voice). If the caller is unknown, it speaks the phone number. Through the limited voice commands available, “yes” accepts the call, or “ignore” sends it to voice mail. The device can also redial the last number called on command.

Of course, if you are buying a new car, the choice of a hands-free device may have been made for you. Various makers have their own factory-installed systems, which tend to have the most advanced features. Ford autos (including Lincolns and Mercurys) use the Sync system, a collaboration with Microsoft. Sync links to a cellphone and adds voice recognition software to control the handset through verbal commands. It also uses a synthesized voice to read incoming e-mail messages aloud. All of the sound comes through the stereo system, which mutes music when there is an incoming call.

“Anyone who has used an integrated system in a new car would say that is their favorite and highest quality,” said Mike Foley, the executive director of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, which sets engineering standards for Bluetooth devices.

Some — even most — of these features are available in aftermarket Bluetooth hands-free devices. The features can even be integrated into a car’s existing sound system, but the aftermarket parts are expensive and installation frequently runs an additional several hundred dollars. By comparison, when Ford’s Sync system is bought as an option, it’s $400.

If legislation doesn’t compel you to go hands-free now, you might want to wait. This month the engineering group that controls Bluetooth is setting a new standard that will improve handsets’ sound and reliability. But to take advantage of the new standard, you’ll need new gear — and that gear is not expected to hit stores until the end of the year.

In The News: How to stop the gabbing driver?

CORPUS CHRISTI — Persuading Corpus Christi residents to hang up and drive could be harder than anticipated for a committee considering a cell phone ban for drivers.

Just ask them. They tried to stop talking while driving, with mixed results.

Only two of six members of the Transportation Safety Advisory Committee said they were able to break their own talking-while-driving habit a month after they first discussed banning cell phone use while driving.

So even though most of the committee members said they think cell phone use while driving is dangerous, they’re not sure what they can do.

“It’s a hard habit to break,” committee member Glenn Jones said. “Even those calls I took could have waited. But I don’t know if the political will is there. I don’t know if we can get support.”

Instead of forwarding a recommendation on the rule to the City Council, the committee will evaluate other ways to regulate cell phone use in cars,

The city could set a policy for its own employees that prohibits cell phone use and the city may ask other companies to set up similar policies, There is also an idea to increase traffic violation fines if the driver was seen using a cell phone while committing an offense. Cell phone use was listed as a contributing factor in 30 of the 12,024 car accidents in the city from January 2008 until last month, or less than 1 percent of accidents. Cell phone use is self-reported, so if drivers tells an accident investigator that they weren’t on the phone, it won’t be listed as a factor.

Of the 27 accidents in that time that resulted in a death, three were because of cell phone use, about 11 percent of the cases.

Progress on the rule could be slow. Committee Chairman Bill Green said he wanted to make sure the city studied how any rule could be enforced to effectively curb the habit.

“If we step too far out on this too early, we may undermine our efforts,” he said. “We can find some form of remedy that improves the situation. We are just trying to catch up with technology.”

But some committee members doubted if cell phone use distracted drivers any more than other activities, such as eating, applying makeup or disciplining unruly children.

“I can think of numerous distractions we could nitpick on,” committee member Curtis Rock said. “Prohibiting cell phones now. What’s next? I think that I’ve been able to use a cell phone in the car just fine. We can sit here and think of every single distraction imaginable.”

There is a potential for statewide regulation of cell phone use in cars. The Legislature is considering several bills addressing use of cell phones while driving, including limiting use to hands-free devices, restricting use in school zones or doubling fines for traffic offenses if a cell phone also is in use. Another bill, filed by state Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr., D- Corpus Christi, would prohibit drivers younger than 18 from using cell phones while driving. Ortiz’s bill passed in the state House and is now before the state Senate.

In The News: Cell Phone Ban Means Safer Roads

Talking on Blackberrys or shuffling through iPods will have to take a backseat to driving, under Ontario’s new distracted drivers law.

The legislation, passed last week, prohibits the use of handheld cell phones and entertainment devices as well as other communication devices while driving.

"Cell phones, Blackberrys, and other devices that distract drivers attention are a serious threat to the safety of drivers on the roadway,” said Sergeant Steve MacDonald of the Halton Regional Police's District Response Unit.

"These new traffic laws are a welcome piece of legislation adding one more tool for our officers to improve road safety."

Drivers could face up to $500 in fines if they text, email, dial or talk on a hand held device once the legislation is put into effect this fall. In some cases, drivers can be charged under existing careless and dangerous driving laws if other drivers are placed at risk.

There are some acceptable methods to use cell phones and other devices while behind the wheel.
Drivers can use a cell phone with an earpiece, a headset or plugged into the vehicles sound system. They can place calls by using voice dialling.

A global positioning system is permitted when mounted to the dashboard or any other accessible place in the vehicle. A portable media player can be used when plugged into a vehicle's sound system.

According to Transport Canada, driver distraction is a contributing factor in about 20 per cent of all collisions and drivers who use cell phones are four times more likely to be in a crash.

“Accidents can cause substantial injury and they can cause a lot of damage to cars,” said Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn. “If it is going to help make our highways a safer place, it’s got to be a great piece of legislation.”

In 2006, Kevin Flynn introduced a private member's bill that proposed the prohibition of handheld devices among novice drivers. He said that it may have started the ball rolling on this universal ban.
“It allowed organizations like the CAA to come forward and make their case,” said Flynn. “I think it took a lot of the emotion out of the debate and it allowed for some hard facts to be introduced and the evidence is overwhelmingly in support of the bill.”

The Ontario Medical Association commended the provincial government for championing the bill.
According to an OMA report released last September, a crash is four times more likely to occur if a cell phone has been used up to ten minutes prior to a collision.

"There are enough distractions inside and outside the car without drivers focusing on the myriad of communication devices," said MacDonald.

Drivers can still use their cell phones to make emergency calls to police, fire and emergency medical services.

For more information regarding Bill 118: Countering Distracted Driving and promoting Green Transportation Act, 2009, visit www.ontla.on.ca.

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In The News: Texas House OK's Bills To Ban Cell Phone Use While Driving

For those who just can’t seem to put down one modern gadget while driving, there’s some bad news: Two bills circulating in the Texas legislature want drivers to put their cell phone down and put both hands on the wheel.

"I've seen people speeding through school zones, if they're on their phone, they're a little less careful with kids around,” said Nicole Robles, from west El Paso.

"It's not a big problem. I think people have become accustomed to the modern convenience of having a cell phone,” said central El Paso resident, Jesus Vasquez.

But lawmakers and some El Pasoans said it's the modern convenience of talking on the cell phone and sending text messages while driving that jeopardizes people's lives. Robles told KFOX she fears for the little ones in her family, after some close calls. "I'm a little scared,” said Robles. “I always walk them to school just to make sure they get there safe, but I've seen some kids get close to getting hit.”

That's why lawmakers have tentatively approved banning the use of hand-held cell phones for all drivers in active school zones. They've also authorized banning teens under the age of 18 from using a cell phone while driving, even if it's hands-free. "They're barely starting to drive and they get a little bit nervous, so with a cell phone it would make it worse,” said Carlos Reyes of west El Paso.

Both bills have an exception -- and it's not allowing drivers to call their employer if they're running late, but the ability to use the phone for emergencies. In school zones, a sign would have to be posted warning drivers that cell phone use was prohibited at certain times.

"I rather have the ban because it's just protecting them; it's protecting our kids,” added Robles.

Recently, eastside city representative Rachel Quintana proposed the measure as a municipal ordinance. While some El Pasoans like the idea, others argue against the proposed law.

"We don't need a new law to tell people, it's seems more like common sense. I think it's kind of pointless,” said Vasquez.

If the Senate and the Governor approve this legislation those caught using a phone in an active school zone would have to pay a maximum fine of $25 for the first time and $50 for subsequent offenses.

There is no word on how much teens would be fined if they're caught using a cell phone on the road -- but the penalty wouldn't go on their record.

USA Cellphone Ban Breakdown

USA states breakdown

State	Banned?	Notes
Alabama	No
Alaska	No
Arkansas	Partial	School bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone. Ban on drivers under 18yrs proposed.
Arizona	Partial	A bill to introduce a ban was lost by a 4-3 vote in the Senate Transportation Committee. Bus drivers are banned from using a cell phone
California	Yes	Beginning July 1, 2008, violators face a US$20 fine for a first offense and a US$50 ticket for subsequent infractions. Law passed Sept 2007 bans all under-18s from using a phone at all, even with handsfree kit. Text messaging while driving (inc emails) banned with effect from Jan 1st 2009.
Colorado	No	Teens with restricted licenses are banned - but can only be stopped for another violation first
Connecticut	Yes	Banned with effect from Oct. 2005 - teens are also forbidden from using handsfree kits while moving
Delaware	No	A driver can already be prosecuted for "inattentive driving" - which can include using a cell phone. Studies into the issue have been requested
District of Columbia	Yes	Banned from July 2004
Florida	Partial	State Attorney General said that cities can set local regulations - July 2001. Overturned by Governor Bush..
Georgia	Partial	School bus drivers banned from using cell phones while driving. DeKalb County has fines when crashes can be attributed to driving while using a cellphone.
Hawaii	Being debated	A bill has been introduced in Hawaii's legislature by Sen. Joseph Souki, D-Wailuku-Waiehu.
Idaho	No
Illinois	Partial	School bus drivers are banned - Chicago and Gary City Council have passed local laws banning driving without a hands-free kit.
Indiana	No	Ban proposed by State Sen. Rose Antich Carr - Jan 2004
Iowa	Being debated
Kansas	No	Bill to introduce ban failed in 2000
Kentucky	No
Louisiana	Partial	Teenagers and new drivers are banned - all drivers banned from text messaging only.
Maine	Partial	Minors and those on learner driving licenses may not use a cell phone while driving
Maryland	No	Bill to ban dropped Feb. 2001. New proposal in the House, proposed by Delegates Arnick and Mandel
Massachusetts	Partial	Bill for most users pending - but bus drivers already banned. Drivers required to keep at least one hand on the steering wheel while holding a phone.
Michigan	No
Minnesota	Partial	Teenagers and provisional drivers are banned - $100 fine plus delays in license upgrades for offenders
Mississippi	No	Legislation prevents local councils enacting their own ban.
Missouri	No
Montana	No
Nebraska	No	Bill planned by State Sen. Jim Cudaback - Jan 2004
Nevada	No	State bill to introduce ban failed April 1999. Local bill in Clark County also blocked Nov. 2001. Nevada state passed bill banning local regulations, March 2003.
New Hampshire	Partial	Not explicitly banned, but you can be prosecuted if using a cellphone when involved in an driving accident.
New Jersey	Yes	Banned from 2004, updated from March 2008 - fine US$100. Bill extended June 2008 to include text messaging.
New Mexico	Partial	Being debated - local ban in the cities of Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Taos, and Las Vegas
New York	Yes	Ban effective from Nov. 2001
North Carolina	Being debated	Study into the effects of cell phone usage while driving being carried out.
North Dakota	Being debated	Bill proposed by Sen. Harvey Tallackson, D-Grafton, Feb 2005
Ohio	Partial	The City of Cleveland is discussing a ban. Ban in place in Brooklyn.
Oklahoma	No	Bill to introduce ban failed in May 1999. Legislation prevents local councils enacting their own ban.
Oregon	Partial	Ban applies to teenagers only.
Pennsylvania	Partial	Local cities have their own laws - state legislation pending
Rhode Island	No	Governor Almond rejected a ban - July 2001. School buses are banned from using a cell phone. Proposal for a ban being debated, April 2004.
South Carolina	Partial	Bill to ban holders of a beginner's permit, conditional or special restricted driver's license passed by House committee, April 2008
South Dakota	No
Tennessee	Partial	School buses are banned from using a cell phone
Texas	No	Senate Bill 154 proposed. If passed would come into effect from 2008. A previous attempt in 2005 failed
Utah	No	Bill to introduce ban failed March 1998. Highland city planning a ban - Feb 2005
Vermont	No
Virginia	Partial	Bill banning minors passed Jan 2005. Bill banning 16-17yr olds with conditional licenses passed March 2007
Washington	Yes	Ban imposed, to come into effect from July 2008. Driving while sending text messages separately banned with effect from Jan 1st 2008
West Virginia	No	Bill proposed in 1999, but never debated
Wisconsin	No	Bill to introduce ban failed in April 1998. Bill to ban younger drivers only being debated.
Wyoming	No	Bill proposed by Rep. Floyd Esquibel but not debated

In The News: New MBTA cell phone ban also tightens rules for commuter rail

BOSTON - The MBTA’s new cell phone ban replaces a less restrictive one that has long applied to commuter rail operations.
A spokesman for the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Co. said Thursday it has prohibited its engineers and conductors from doing their jobs while using or carrying a cell phone.
But Scott Farmelant (FAR’-muh-lant) says the workers used to be able to carry their phone in a bag with other personal belongings. The device had to be switched off.
MBTA subway, bus and rail drivers who are now caught using a cell phone face a 30-day suspension and recommendation for termination. Those caught carrying a phone get a 10-day suspension on the first offense, and a 30-day suspension and recommendation for termination for a second offense.