On the road with cellphones
I’ve observed that the majority of mobile dealers must do a lot of customer contacts while on the road, and that means a lot of talking while driving. I also recently read that some states, like N.Y. and N.J. (see below) are upping their fines for not using hands-free devices while talking and driving.
I’m not taking any stance on the whole talking and driving issue. But, how much of your day is spent on the phone? And how much of that is while driving between stops? Do you use a hands-free device? What comments do you have about the whole talking-while-driving debate, especially considering your business is dependent on both?
From the news article:
“New Jersey drivers will have to be more careful while driving and using their cell phones this weekend because starting March 1 they could be fined $250 for violating the state’s hands-free law — the most expensive hands-free fine in the nation.”
“The state of New Jersey originally adopted hands-free legislation as a secondary offense in July 2004, making the use of cellular phones while driving punishable by fines ranging from $100-$250, but drivers could only be ticketed in conjunction with another traffic violation.”
April 9th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Here in California the law goes into full effect on July 1st but it is a secondary offense. Meaning that you must be pulled over for something else first. First offense $20, thereafter $100.
I have used hands free in the past. Worked well when it worked. If they cannot up the reliability of the equipment I am not going to re-invest in it. First one didn’t last 1 year and it cost me $99. Many times I pull to the side of the road to talk because either the background noise prohibits me from listening or traffic becomes an issue. Besides, none of the other people talking on their phones are paying attention to their driving. Drives me nuts.