What's the Best Hands-Free Way to Use a Phone in the Car?

[Anonymous]

Maryland's banning the use of hand held cell phones beginning October 1. What's the best way to do hands-free? I hate the idea of that bluetooth ear bud thing. I have used bluetooth to connect it to my GPS which is mounted on the windshield and the sound quality of that was excellent (just using the speaker on my phone sucks). But I felt like I was pushing too many buttons and it felt more distracting than just flipping open a phone to answer the call.

I don't use my phone often in the car, but I want to be able to use it when necessary.

[Anonymous]

Pull over. Seriously and sincerely.

[Anonymous]

I use a bluetooth ear piece. I turn it on and put it in my ear before I start driving. If the phone rings, I just have to push the button on the ear piece and start talking. It might even have a voice dialing feature, but I don't know for certain.

DC banned hand-held phones a while back. Not sure it has made much of a difference, as I still see many people driving with a phone held to their ear. One of those almost hit me twice in the span of two minutes, and still kept yapping away.

[jsteele]

I think integrated bluetooth which uses your car's stereo system is the best way. But, it's expensive and only works with newish cars.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:I think integrated bluetooth which uses your car's stereo system is the best way. But, it's expensive and only works with newish cars.

Forgive my ignorance on this. Does that mean my car would have to have bluetooth capability? Which it doesn't. Or is there something I could plug in to the MP3 jack in the car?

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:I think integrated bluetooth which uses your car's stereo system is the best way. But, it's expensive and only works with newish cars.

I totally agree. Acura has an amazing system, its totally voice activated. Once your phone is linked to the car's bluetooth system the only button you need to press are two that are located right on the steering wheel. It even works if the phone is on vibrate.

[Anonymous]

Don't tell Oprah about this. She is starting a campaign against cell phone usage in the cars. I find it funny since she probably has a driver!

Jeff's rec re integrated system with the car works best. My car came with it and I love it! I can control it from my steering wheel. My husband tried adding it to his car via the dealer since his did not come with it and it was really expensive so we opted not to. The ear piece blue tooth thing is annoying to wear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pull over. Seriously and sincerely.

This.

[Anonymous]

The best way? Put the phone on silent and out of reach.

Works perfectly.

People drive worse on the phone no matter what they like to say or believe. Doesn't necessarily have to do with hands free or not- its just the act of dividing your attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The best way? Put the phone on silent and out of reach.

Works perfectly.

People drive worse on the phone no matter what they like to say or believe. Doesn't necessarily have to do with hands free or not- its just the act of dividing your attention.

I can't see how having a conversation over the speakers in your car is any different than having a conversation with your passenger.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:I think integrated bluetooth which uses your car's stereo system is the best way. But, it's expensive and only works with newish cars.

Forgive my ignorance on this. Does that mean my car would have to have bluetooth capability? Which it doesn't. Or is there something I could plug in to the MP3 jack in the car?

Depending on your car and the options it has, you may be able to add bluetooth integration to it. For instance, here is one company's products:

http://www.parrot.com/usa/products/bluetooth-hands-free-car-kits

[Anonymous]

Having a conversation with someone over speaker phone is very different from talking to another passanger. When talking to another passanger (or at least one who is an adault) they tend to pause when they see you are coming up on a tricky merge or are trying to change lanes. They aren't going to ask a tough question right as you are trying to get from the left lane over to your exit on 495. Also, if you are about to hit another car because you are too wrapped up in your conversation, hopefully they'll say something!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Having a conversation with someone over speaker phone is very different from talking to another passanger. When talking to another passanger (or at least one who is an adault) they tend to pause when they see you are coming up on a tricky merge or are trying to change lanes. They aren't going to ask a tough question right as you are trying to get from the left lane over to your exit on 495. Also, if you are about to hit another car because you are too wrapped up in your conversation, hopefully they'll say something!

Sorry, not buying it. They are equally dangerous or equally benign, depending on your point of view.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Having a conversation with someone over speaker phone is very different from talking to another passanger. When talking to another passanger (or at least one who is an adault) they tend to pause when they see you are coming up on a tricky merge or are trying to change lanes. They aren't going to ask a tough question right as you are trying to get from the left lane over to your exit on 495. Also, if you are about to hit another car because you are too wrapped up in your conversation, hopefully they'll say something!

Sorry, not buying it. They are equally dangerous or equally benign, depending on your point of view.

Well, according to numerous studies, having a phone conversation while driving is equivalent to being legally intoxicated.

Just one of many: http://www.unews.utah.edu/p/?r=062206-1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best way? Put the phone on silent and out of reach.

Works perfectly.

People drive worse on the phone no matter what they like to say or believe. Doesn't necessarily have to do with hands free or not- its just the act of dividing your attention.

I can't see how having a conversation over the speakers in your car is any different than having a conversation with your passenger.

Just look into numbers of accidents with people talking with a passenger vs people talking on the phone.

If a crazy lady honks at you in traffic and signs HANG UP YOU A$$ HOLE! it's me.