Eric Lin
07-09-2003, 02:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.nypost.com/seven/07062003/news/regionalnews/2495.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.nypost.com/seven/07062003/news/regionalnews/2495.htm</a><br /><br /></div>"Ticket-blitzing New York City cops have helped the city collect about $3 million already this year from drivers who violated the state's ban on using a handheld cell phone while driving. <br /><br />More than 29,000 summonses were issued through the first five months of the year to motorists who were mouthing off without a hands-free device, said Detective Walter Burnes, a department spokesman."<br /><br />Does forcing drivers to use hands free kits make the streets safer for the rest of us? According to studies, not much. I hope that NYC and other locales considering ticketing view this as a deterrent and not an actual revenue stream. That scares me coming from San Francisco, where nearly half of the city's revenue comes from parking tickets. <br /><br />What will smartphone users do? Current models come with an acceptable hands free kit, but are often plagued by non standard jacks making it difficult to find other solutions. Lately some solutions have come to market. Companies like <a href="http://www.pocketpctechs.com/ppcthsa.asp">PPC Techs</a> are producing adapters with built in microphones that allow you to use any 1/8" headphones. In addition, for those who can't stand wires, <a href="http://www.ora.co.uk/">ORA</a> will soon carry the Jabra BT 200 kit for the Smartphone and PPC Phone. (thanks <a href="http://www.coolsmartphone.com/index.php?option=news&task=viewarticle&sid=87">Gears</a>)