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Don't be a fool when driving with your mobile - use a Bluetooth headset, like the Plantronics Discovery 975
Yep, in a simply frightening bit of news, some research has been done in the UK that shows MORE drivers are holding mobile phones to their heads since penalties were introduced!
Now granted, this is indicative research so it doesn’t speak for the whole of the population, but if this is a representative sample, then it’s a source of great concern. For me the news is frightening, because I’ve seen what amazing lack of control drivers have when they are using one hand for their mobile – let’s see, it affects:
- your steering
- your use of the gearstick
- your use of indicator/windscreen wiper levers
- your concentration
- your reaction time
Hmmm…. now was there anything else?!
The original fines brought in in 2006 introduced both cash and penalty points incentives not to use a phone, and since then, according to research, there’s been a small rise in the sample population for those using hand-held devices – but a rise, nonetheless.
There’s a link to the full story on the BBC News website below, but seriously, come on people – you’ve got the option of wired headsets, bluetooth headsets, cigarette lighter speaker, integrated car kit, and probably about 1000 other options – whilst they don’t help with the concentration/reaction time, they sure do help in getting that mobile outta your hands (and so getting both on wheel)!!
[Via: BBC News]
About The Author
Ben Robinson
Ben is a 10+ year veteran of the Mobile industry – starting his career when SMS was a still a relatively new concept for most people (!), he has now consulted on everything from bleeding-edge Mobile content, to the next-gen accessories you might view it on. As a result he has a broad and deep knowledge in numerous areas of Mobile – from network operators to device vendors, to infrastructure and middleware vendors (not to mention content delivery) – and has worked for companies in all of these areas! He is based in the UK, a hotbed of activity for mobile, and recently became a father for the second time – as oppose to in his younger years when he was happy spend time tweaking all manner of mobile devices to 'nth' degree, he now looks for services and hardware that provide the most efficient, compact, and reliable improvements to his already manic life! It’s his opinion that Mobile solutions should be there to help to make your life better – if a particular solution (be it service or device) isn’t doing this, he believes you need to ask the very important question of why you continue to use it... His focus at IntoMobile is mainly on Mobile content, services, and infrastructure, particularly as regards the UK market – and with the occasional look at devices. Additionally, using his extensive experience in the industry, he will provide commentary on the industry at large, with regular (and hopefully thought-provoking) articles.
