Higher Fines Lead to Creative Finds

In October 2009, Ontario passed legislation banning the use of cell phones while driving. It was just a matter of time before this was going to happen. Ontario is not the only province with this law, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Quebec have also passed this law. There is a hefty $500 fine if caught texting, talking, emailing anything that takes your hands off the wheel.

I think it is about time. There have been numerous accidents related to texting, some close to home, others just out there. My friends father was hit from behind by a driver who was busy texting. No one was hurt, but there is a lesson to be learned from that.

But, as you can see from this report on CBS, The Early Show, back in 2006, texting while driving can be fatal. I wondered how much longer it would take for laws to change!! It is 2010 now and finally it is being brought up to the table as an issue that needs to be dealt with, and in a serious way.

This is where we can become creative and remain responsible. We need to keep our hands on the wheel and our eyes on the road. There are many hands free devices out there to encourage the safety of yourself and others on the road.

As Duchess OBlunt put in her hub about Bill 118 in Ontario, there are GPS units that can be used instead of looking at maps for directions.

There are also a number of other ways that you can go about your business while remaining safe, and hands free.

The Speaker option. Most cell phones, and even home phones have the speaker option. You can leave your phone down, freeing your hands, and continue a conversation with someone. This is one of the oldest and original methods. Most of the time it is difficult to hear correctly, either on one end or the other end. So, this wouldn't be my first choice.

The next choice would be the Bluetooth. When I first saw someone using one of these, I thought that he was someone who enjoyed talking to himself. Then I saw the ear piece and I caught on! These are great for when you want to talk on the phone while driving. You don't have to hold onto anything, it fits into your ear and it is generally pretty clear to hear and speak through.

One of the newer options is a hands free technology called Voice on the Go. This is where you can do everything with talking. If you want to check your email, Facebook, Twitter etc...you can have it spoken to you through your bluetooth. Then when you speak into it, it automatically types your message as email, or whatever other media source you are using. I would never have guessed that there would be this kind of hands free texting, hands free emailing possibility. Someone is very creative!! I think it looks pretty cool and I would love to give it a try!! I found a video here about it too.

In Ontario, there has been a huge increase for some of the more serious driving offences. There is a big crackdown and I for one am glad. I think that I will feel safer on the roads knowing that some of these offences are being deterred with the bigger fines.

Finding the hands free safety solution that works for you is the most important things. Please do your best to stay safe and look out for others safety as well