Quote:
Originally Posted by ken0042
See, I'm not sold on Bluetooth being safe. Is it safer than using a handheld device- sure.
I've had Bluetooth in my vehicle for 6 months and I am aware that talking on the phone distracts me. And the people I think are idiots on the road aren't people I see dialing; it's people with a phone up to their ear. They are the ones doing 20 under, not signaling, wandering in their lanes, etc.
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It is certainly the lesser of all evils though. A true hands free system is no less distracting than turning on your blinker. Literally tap the button and say the name you want to dial. It is full voice from that point on. If you are to say it is still too distracting, then we are at the point where we need to ban passengers from all vehicles, as a yappy girlfriend, or a buddy crapping his pants with the windows up is definitely more distracting to me.
Mine goes like this:
1) Push button.
2) Prompted by tone to speak.
3) Me:Call Alyssa on cell.
4) Car: Would you like to call Alyssa, on mobile phone?
5) Me: Yes
6) Call is dialed.
I do not have to look at any displays at all, or remove my hands from the wheel. Coming into work today, As I was shoulder checking during a merge and a call came in from work, and I instinctively tapped the button with my thumb and answered the call, without breaking a stride in my merge. It was no different than having a passenger ask me a question. Is it perfect, no. Is it tenfold better than the old way... hell yes.
However, I do agree, hat bluetooth systems that require you to still dial, hit a button to pass the call over, etc... essentially a remote speaker, yes, they are still as distracting as a phone IMO as well.
I know some super high end cars do not even require you to push any buttons. But I drive a VW, not a Maybach.