As of today July 1st, 2008, in California and Washington,  you can no longer hold a cell phone to your ear while driving in your car.

MSNBC.COM has a good article on bluetooth headsets and speakers. I need to get a bluetooth speaker. I have a headset but I think I would rather have a speaker in my car. Can anyone recommend a good one or have comments about the one in this article which is Motorola's MotoROKR T505.

Hi Laura, I don't have a recommendation for a bluetooth speaker as my car has bluetooth.  I just wanted to comment on this new law, as a Washington resident, I think it is a good one!  I know some people with mixed feelings about it but also know every time I get cut off, I think "they're probably on their phone" and they usually are.  It could also be that Seattle drivers aren't the best.  (Hey, I can say that, I am one but at least I know how to go the speed limit). 

Also, I asked a police officer about the law and he said they can't pull you over for talking with your phone to your ear, but if you commit a driving infraction AND you are talking on your phone, you will get a ticket for being on the phone in addition to whatever else you did wrong.  Not sure if it's the same in California.

Katherine Tighe:

"they're probably on their phone"

Yes - I agree but they can still be on the phone, just not holding it to ear and also you are allowed to dial the number with your hand.

I think the CHP (California Highway Patrol) are able to pull over anyone they see just holding the phone to their ear.

Now this is a sad consequence to this new law - last night in San Jose,CA a Radio Shack was broken into and all the bluetooth headsets were stolen.

In the UK we've had this law for a while now, and it's quite specific about usage. You basically can't touch the phone at all, and they are also pretty strict about headset usage too. I think the only way you can dial legally is via voice dialling.

I seem to remember that in the UK , a few years back now, that they wanted to ban all cell phone use while driving and have people pull over if they needed to make a call. But they realised that they would have so many people pulling over that this would be much more dangerous!

 There would be more cars on the hard shoulder than on the road itself. Still, it might ease the congestion on the M25!

* The M25 is the multilane (up to 5) orbital trunk road around London that's notorious for daily congestion.

Dave Parker MVP:

There would be more cars on the hard shoulder than on the road itself.

All the cars would just come to a stand still.

Dave Parker MVP:

* The M25 is the multilane (up to 5) orbital trunk road around London that's notorious for daily congestion.

The M25 must be the worst motorway in the world. Mind you I live in Northern California, so I haven't experienced LA traffic.

People in the UK still use the phone while driving but if they caught it's an instant fine. 

Yes - same in California - I think the fine increases each time you get caught.

Wish they had that here, perhaps it would make people think more before using it.

Don't the powers that be have the option of applying dangerous driving penalties as well? That would be up to 9 points. Two of those and you're WELL banned.

In California, it's just a fine - no points - Phew!

Now here's a funny video on hands-free driving from SOLSIE.com.