Take out your wireless device. Read the last text message you received out loud. Would reading or responding to that text message from behind the wheel of a moving vehicle be worth the risk of getting into a car accident or worse? Chances are, the text message could wait. In today’s 24/7/365 world, staying connected is no longer an option. It’s a necessity. With a tenfold increase in text messaging over the last three years according to CTIA — The Wireless Association, there is no question that texting is increasingly becoming the way many communicate today. And, for many, the allure to quickly read and respond — even from behind the wheel of a moving vehicle — can be tempting. But texting and driving is dangerous.

Article source: http://newsobserver.com/2012/02/21/1872036/cellphone-ban-while-driving-looms.html

• Play calls and music from your mobile phone on your car stereo via FM and Bluetooth transmission
• Advanced DSP noise reduction and echo cancellation
• Voice announcements so you can keep your eyes on the road
• Use the supplied clip to attach the SP700 to your car’s sun visor
• Up to 14 hours of talk time, up to 255 hours of standby time

The Smart Way to Drive – Jabra offers the latest in speakerphone technology ¿ the SP700. This stylish, versatile new speakerphone can be used on its own or to transmit the calls to your car¿s audio system with no installation necessary. What¿s more, this compact device can also be used to stream music stored on your mobile phone through your car stereo speakers, allowing you to enjoy your favorite track while driving. Driver friendly – the Jabra SP700 offers a new level of usability and safet

List Price: $ 99.99

Price: $ 55.98

More Hands Free While Driving Products

• Cellphones in cars: Measure would ban all use
of cellphones or other electronic devices while driving, except for
hands-free devices. Current Illinois law bans texting and emailing
while driving, but not phone calls and GPS programming. (HB3970
HB3972)

• Cellphones on bicycles: The proposal would
ban use of all electronic communication devices by cyclists while
moving, except hands-free devices. (HB3849)

• Teen driver texting: Proposal would revoke
the drivers license of anyone under 18 who is convicted of texting
while driving or other prohibited use of electronic devices behind
the wheel. The revocation would last either six months or until the
driver turns 18, whichever is longer. (HB5325)

• Internet dating: Legislation would require
dating websites to notify Illinois members whether the website
conducts background checks on its members. (SB2545)

• Social media privacy: The measure would make
it illegal for employers to ask prospective employees for username,
password and other account information to gain access to the
prospective employee’s Facebook or other social network account.
(HB3782)

• Cyberharrassment: Proposal would make it a
criminal offense to send repeated, unwanted or harassing comments
to another person through electronic means. (HB4640)

• Computer hacking: Measure would make it a
felony to hijack electronic communications, social networking
sites, computer network or other electronic programs. (HB2053)

• Alcohol monitoring: Measure would set up a
system that allows DUI repeat offenders to cut time from their jail
sentences by agreeing to wear a “continuous alcohol monitoring
device,” which continually tests the skin and transmits data,
alerting authorities if the person consumes any alcohol.
(HB5214)

• Internet access records: Measure would
require businesses that provide paid public access to
Internet-connected computers to record identifying information
about customers. It would make exceptions for libraries and other
entities that require membership for computer access. (HB5301)

• Tanning beds: Proposal would bar tanning
salon customers under 18 from using ultraviolet tanning beds.
Currently, customers ages 14 to 18 can use the beds with their
parents’ written permission. (HB1666)

• Yellow traffic lights: Measure would require
communities that use traffic enforcement cameras at stoplights to
ensure that the lights stay yellow at least as long as “nationally
recognized engineering standards,” plus one second. Specifically
prohibits communities from decreasing the duration of the yellow
light when the traffic camera is installed. (SB3504)

Source: Illinois Legislature/Legislative
Information System

Article source: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/6a127b84-02ef-59e5-8630-7e7b578bb27b.html

Get things done while you drive. Dial2Do Handsfree Assistant lets you send text messages, listen to, reply and send emails, twitter, evernote and more… just by dialing a number and speaking.

Article source: http://centralny.ynn.com/content/all_news/574303/new-technology-aims-to-cut-down-on-distracted-driving

Link

Article source: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/money/30484809/detail.html

The bill would amend a law that bans reading, writing or sending text messages while driving. In addition to hands-free devices, there are exemptions for emergency calls and for two-way radios.

The governor has 10 days, not counting Sundays, from the day he receives the bill to act on the measure before it automatically becomes law.

If the governor vetoes a bill, the Legislature will need 10 votes among senators to override the veto.

A previous version of the bill included an exemption for commercial transportation operations, such as truckers, but this has been changed. Commercial transport operations will be exempted for 30 days after the law goes into effect, and then the exemption will expire.

Sen. Tom Ada, one of the senators who introduced the bill, said the change was made to mirror federal laws, which prohibit commercial vehicle operators from using cellphones during interstate movement. Federal regulations also already prohibit the use of cellphones by commercial operators transporting hazardous materials, Ada said.

“I think it will promote safer driving on our highways, and that’s really what we’re trying to achieve,” he said.

The penalty for violating the proposed law would be a fine no less than $100, while repeat offenders would be fined no less than $500.

If the use of a mobile phone leads to a traffic accident, the fine could be no less than $1,000, the bill states.

The bill requires wireless carriers providing cellphone services or businesses providing vehicle insurance to send mail or electronic notifications to their customers about the law. It also requires that, for a year after the law is enacted, car dealerships explain the law to customers.

The aim of the law is to minimize manual, visual and cognitive distractions while driving, Ada said.

“If we don’t set a policy saying this is not acceptable behavior, people are going to continue to do it,” he said.

Besides, he asked, what’s the rush to be connected to everything?

“Everything we go to here is within 15 minutes,” he said.

Article source: http://www.guampdn.com/article/20120218/NEWS01/202180301?odyssey=mod%7Cmostcom

This was for a Health Project.