Do you think the new hands-free law will make much of a difference?

Question

In Cali the new law prohibiting you to use your cell phone without a hands-free device will be in effect July 1st.

Will Californians become better drivers, especially since the penalty will be $20 (for the 1st offense) and won't be put on your driving record?

Answer 1

They should outlaw cellphone use in cars outright.

Answer 2

no, no one will care, it's california.

Answer 3

Not much, its the talking that is a distraction. People need to shut up and drive. The world will not come to an end if their cell phone is turned off.

Answer 4

I don't think it will make a lot of difference. Even when I have used a hands-free device, I still pay more attention to the conversation than the driving.

Answer 5

The biggest difference that it will make is that it will help many legislators that voted for it get re-elected, because many people are under the mistaken impression that it is the driver's hand up to their ears that causes collisions.

Unfortunately, it will make little difference in lowering the number of collisions because all of the LEGITIMATE scientific research has shown that it is not the hands or hands free operation of the phone that causes these collisions.  It is the distraction of the phone conversation that occupies a driver's attention away from the task at hand that is the real cause of cell phone involved crashes.

Answer 6

Hands-free phones are no safer than handheld phones.

If you talk to somebody on a phone, you only get a limited number of cues, as opposed to looking at someone when you can see their demeanor, their facial expressions.

When you don't have those cues, your brain has to work hard to fill them in and having to work extra hard means you'll be paying little attention to the road.