Safe Drive

So in California we have this new cell phone law. You can't have your phone next to your ear or be visibly text messaging, otherwise you get a ticket. This sounds like a wonderful idea ethically but like most people I have seen, people just don't seem to care.

I can drive around and still see people holding their phones up to their ears while driving in their cars. They are usually the ones I have to swerve around and pass on the freeways because they don't realize how slow they are going. There also the ones who drive too fast and typically are the ones causing accident.

I don't mind using my Bluetooth headset but I can see where people who are not tech savvy are had a predisposed hatred for the new cell phone law. In an angry moment toward her new piece of required technology, my mother gave me her Bluetooth headset, saving me the trouble of having to go out and get one for myself.

In her disgust she said,"These stupid things shouldn't be required. They don't even WORK!" As she handed me it, I snagged her phone and began going through the useual procedures. Options -> general settings -> Bluetooth -> (Enter Passcode). Presto change-o, it worked.

I showed her how to connect it to her phone and like the response I was expecting she said, "That is too difficult!", "Why make something this complicated required?"

I had to laugh only because it was simple to me. A person who has explored the functions and read the manual on my phone. But I can see where people would be upset with the new law. For one thing, not every device is easy to setup. Also, for older people who don't really gell with new technology, finding the Bluetooth section, (and more importantly remember where it is and remembering to shut it off), can be a hassel.

The only thing I don't like about my particular headset is that the blue light blinks fairly bright at night. The light blinks to let me know it is on, shining against my driver-side window and reflecting off of everything in my car. It is kind of distracting. But, hey, if someone got a red blinking one and sat in my passenger seat we could signal people like airliners in the sky.

On the other hand, I am glad that this law is in place. People will now use their phone less, because it is too difficult to use your phone with the headset. (You still have to look at your phone to dial, set up the headset and see who is calling you.) Maybe this law will make people realize how un-important using your phone in the car is.

Before this rule, I seldom used my phone in my car. I would pull over and use my phone if I needed to, or I would just wait to use my phone until I arrived at my destination. I don't use my phone more now that the law is in place, but I don't find it any more difficult.

It makes me happy in a way to see older people struggle with the technology in turn curbing their desire to use their phones. But at the same time there are even more people out there using their phones anyway. I hope the police strictly enforce this law, that way more people will take it seriously. This law is a great way to protect the lives of people behind the wheel.

Next stop ... putting on makeup and shaving while driving.

Title: "Safe Drive" by Cute Is What We Aim For off of "Rotation"