On Oct. 26, 2009, Bill 118 will go live in Ontario. The Countering Distracted Driving and Promoting Green Transportation Act prohibits the use of hand-held communication devices while driving,
78.1 (1)Â Â No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway while holding or using a hand-held wireless communication device or other prescribed device that is capable of receiving or transmitting telephone communications, electronic data, mail or text messages.
Like everything in the law though, there are some exceptions, including the use of hands-free mode, and use by ambulance, fire department or police vehicles.
As of Feb. 1, 2010, a fine up to $500 kicks in. For that much money, residents of Ontario are probably wise to invest in some technology.
The Toronto Star’s Robert Cribb recommends these two products to comply with the new law:
YD-V16 Rearview Mirror Speakerphone + Caller ID
$149.99 at Canadian Tire, US$179.99 at Amazon, US$179.99 at Target, not listed at Future Shop, Best Buy, or Radio Shack
“Ingenious” declared a friend who first cast her gaze upon its streamline design and inconspicuous efficiency.
Think of it as a serious upgrade to your rear view mirror, adding a hands-free Bluetooth device with stereo speakers, visual call display on the mirror surface itself, an internal phone book and 25 hours of talk time on each battery charge.
The device clips on top of your existing mirror. A series of buttons at the bottom allows you to answer or make a call, speed dial, voice dial or retrieve a number from the phone book in your cell (up to 600 entries). And a clever digital readout appears briefly in the centre of the mirror, telling you who is calling and providing a display of volume levels and other details.
Most important, the Yada device solves the most common problem with these hands-free devices: a lack of speaker volume control.
US$99.99 directly from Scosche
US$50.49 from Comp-U-Plus, US$53.99 on eBay, US$55.22 from ANTOnline, US$62.21 at Amazon, $89.99 at Best Buy but out of stock.
Not listed at Canadian Tire, Future Shop, or Radio Shack
Cribb says,
There’s no screen here, so caller ID comes from an automated robot voice that makes it hit-and-miss in terms of pronunciation. But volume is good and voice clarity beyond reproach.
Further evidence of how a legally-imposed social need can focus the minds of technology inventors to the point of precision.
I guess that’s also one way to stimulate the economy and encourage consumer spending.