Hands-free 101: What are your options for calling while driving?

PORTLAND, Ore. – As of January 1, 2010, Oregon joined a growing list of states with a “hands-free” cell phone law that prohibits drivers from talking while holding their phone to their ear during conversations.

While safety experts have dismissed such laws as not going far enough to end distracted driving by drivers talking on the phone, lawmakers and many voters obviously feel that retaining the ability to keep both hands on the steering wheel will hopefully reduce accidents.

For drivers who feel they need to chat while navigating Oregon’s highways and byways, there are several technological solutions that allow compliance with the law while retaining the ability to talk –and even dial – with a cell phone.

WHAT IS “BLUETOOTH?”

“Bluetooth” is an internationally agreed-upon standard for short-range, low-powered radios that in most consumer applications have a range of about 30 feet. Bluetooth technology is best known for use in wireless headsets for cell phones, but is also commonly used to connect keyboards and a computer mouse to a computer without using wires.

You can send data over Bluetooth, such as sending a photo taken with your cell phone to your computer without wires or email applications. However, the rate of data transmission is low so it may take a while.

Where did the name and Rune symbol for “Bluetooth” come from? For more on that interesting story, click here.

Here are some options for using your cell phone hands-free while driving:

WIRED HEADSETS

The most inexpensive device for using a cell phone hands-free is a wired headset. Most phones sold today usually come with a wired headset, which usually consists of a small earbud with a microphone located on the connection wire. They cost about $10 to buy – just make sure you get one that is compatible with the headset jack on your phone.

However, you can get some seriously nice-sounding wired headsets if you need them for working out, bad weather or you consider yourself an audiophile.

WIRELESS BLUETOOTH HEADSET

More and more people are using wireless Bluetooth headsets now. These are the little sci-fi looking in-ear gadgets that can make you look a bit like a character from a Star Trek episode.

However, many Bluetooth headset makers are pushing the devices into more fashionable circles. Bluetooth headsets require some initial setup with your cell phone, but after that they usually synchronize automatically when turned on. Just remember to charge them up at night.

STEREO or A2DP WIRELESS BLUETOOTH HEADSETS

The more deluxe version of the Bluetooth headset adds in stereo sound capability. They can look like common earbud headphones or even old-school over-the-head headphones, but they have the added capability of a microphone – usually hidden - for talking on your phone.

They come in many shapes and styles. Setup is the same as a regular Bluetooth headset, but your phone must have the A2DP capability for the stereo sound. All current iPhones and most smartphones on the market have A2DP, but check your phone’s manual or online to make sure your phone is compatible with A2DP/Stereo Bluetooth.

Also, many Stereo Bluetooth headsets can be used as wireless headphones with computers that have A2DP capability.

HANDS-FREE IN-CAR BLUETOOTH SYSTEMS

Automakers are keenly aware of the new laws and many are incorporating hands-free Bluetooth systems in new cars as standard or optional equipment. The system usually is incorporated into the car’s stereo or navigation system, so any conversation you have is audible to whoever else is in the car (as opposed to the more private headphones).

If an in-car system sounds good you, you can add an aftermarket system to your car. Typically, those systems clip to a sun visor and work with the Bluetooth capability of your phone. Prices vary depending on how snazzy a system you want to get. Be aware that road noise can make conversations difficult under some circumstances using this type of a system.

Many in-car systems also allow you to voice-dial your phone, but be sure to check if your phone has that feature compatibility.

BLUETOOTH SYSTEM SETUP

Setting up a Bluetooth hands-free system is fairly simple. In your phone’s menu system, find the Bluetooth setting and make sure it is set to “on” and that the phone is “discoverable.” Both phones and Bluetooth headsets are fairly automated for setup these days.

Next, turn on the headset or in-car system and see if the phone can “find it.” Once it does, you may have to enter a security code (typically: 0000) to connect but consult the manual to make sure if there is a problem.

Once the devices are synchronized, it’s ready to use. Your phone should remember the device and the next time you turn on the headset or speaker, it should sync up quickly and be ready to use.

Using the Bluetooth feature on your phone may make a dent in your battery life as it does require more power to operate, however the power demand is fairly small. Headsets will usually run for many hours on a single charge, just remember to charge them up overnight.

The fine for not using a hands-free device in Oregon is $142 and is a primary offense – you can be pulled over for it.

In Washington, not using a hands-free device is a secondary offense. You can’t be pulled over just for the cell phone violation.