It is becoming more and more common for states to pass laws that make it illegal for drivers to talk on their cellphones while driving if they do not use a hands-free device. People caught without a hands-free device are issued a ticket and are forced to pay a fine for their first offense. Penalties increase for repeat offenders. The theory behind these new laws is that they allow drivers to keep both hands free to steer, shift, etc. and allow the driver to focus more on driving instead of holding a phone against their ear.
The most commonly used hands-free device is a Bluetooth earpiece, which is a wireless device that rests around your ear and allows you to carry on a conversation without even having to take your phone out of your pocket or purse. Most new phones manufactured these days come equipped with Bluetooth capabilities and many used cell phones can be found with the technology as it has been around for a while.
However, some older or used cell phones do not have Bluetooth technology. There are hands-free alternatives for people that own these type of phones. The most common is a wired device that plugs in to a jack on your phone. These corded accessories resemble a set of ear buds that people use for music players and have a microphone that hangs freely near your mouth. These corded hands-free devices are often the cheapest and can be used on Bluetooth enabled phones as well. They can be found to fit any phone, so even if you have an older used Alltel Blackberry, you will be able to find a solution that will allow you to drive and talk on the phone at the same time.
Hands-free devices also come in handy in other situations beyond driving. Even if you live in a state that does not require hands-free devices for driving, chances are you will find some benefit from being able to talk on your phone without using your hands, such as being able to type while on the phone.
A different option for drivers is to purchase a plug and play kit for your vehicle that works with your phone. There are a number of different models available - from a cigarette lighter plug-in that includes a small speaker and microphone to systems that integrate with your car stereo, allowing you to hear the conversation through your factory speakers. Some of these systems operate on Bluetooth (wireless) technology while others require you to plug a wire in to your phone.
If you have been hesitant to purchase a used cell phone because you live in a state that requires drivers to have a hands-free device, rest assured that you will have no problem finding one that will work. The real decision comes down to whether or not you want wires involved in using your device. If you can tolerate the wires, you can save a decent amount of money when compared to using a Bluetooth headset. Even if you live in an area where hands-free laws have not been passed, chances are they will be passed one day. Your best bet is to make sure you're ready. You never know, you may realize that hands-free is the way to go all of the time.
