Bluetooth vs penalty points
But using a mobile phone while behind the wheel is legal if it is the use of a hands-free or bluetooth device. But which one is better for both economy and ease of use. These depend on how much you will be using the car kit or bluetooth headset and obviously your taste.
Car kits are a great way to talk about avoiding the dreaded penalty points. They come in all shapes and sizes and have a variety of functions. Some, like the Nokia CK7W Basic Car Kit, are designed primarily for Nokia phones. Depending on the phone you have, the car kit is designed to display the phone clearly on the dashboard. This allows you to see any calls or SMS you receive while driving. Making calls is just as easy, too, because the phone is clearly visible on the dashboard; call access your phonebook and select the person you want to call.
Other car kits that would disconnect bluetooth and don’t have the phone clearly visible on the dash. However, Bluetooth car kits have advantages and disadvantages. First; bluetooth car kits allow you to have the phone anywhere within a certain range; that is, in your pocket. This is useful because it means you don’t have to take your phone out of your pocket or bag to place it on the base. However, the downside to this is that you don’t know who is calling unless you actually look at the phone, but it still allows conversations to continue.
Installation of car kits is quite easy. Professional engineers can arrange to meet you at a time and place that suits you best and install it professionally. This can be a bit expensive, but it does mean, however, that if it is installed by a qualified professional, the car kit warranty will not be voided as it would be if you installed it yourself.
Much less expensive for the complete car kit solution is the bluetooth headset option. The size, weight and price of these have decreased in the last 2-3 years. The headphones are not only limited to the car, but can also be used outside. Headphones provide clear sound but also have the added benefit of not allowing other people to overhear your conversation. Headphones don’t give you the freedom that a fully installed car kit offers. Some headsets have voice recognition, but some people may prefer to select the number from the phone; this in itself contradicts the whole hands-free idea and increases the chance of a penalty point.
Research around the world has shown the benefit of using a hands-free device not only for driving safety but also for personal safety. Many people balance the phone between their shoulder and their head while driving. This has been shown to restrict blood flow. But when trying to balance the headset, driver movement is affected, which can be a big factor in critical situations.
Bluetooth devices such as headsets and car kits can prevent the driver from receiving penalty points. However, many people do not realize that the threat of harm to themselves or others is more important than the penalty. Penalty points make people think about their actions, and hopefully, in doing so, they’ll use bluetooth headsets or a car kit.
Finally, penalty points can also hit people where it really hurts, in their pockets. The fact that if stopped, a driver can get a ticket, but too many points can result in higher insurance premiums and maybe a driving ban if too many points are received. This can cause you to lose more than just your car!