Drivers go hands-free as phone ban looms

Drivers wishing to use their phones while driving may not do so if the phone is not in a fixed cradle. Photo / Herald on Sunday

New Zealanders are choosing hands-free options to keep talking while driving as a ban on cellphone use nears.

From Sunday, using cellphones while behind the wheel can be penalised unless a hands-free device is used, even while stopped at a red light.

Drivers may not hold or use a phone unless it is in a fixed cradle.

This extends to uses other than making calls, such as listening to music or using a satellite navigation system, although portable music players and devices without a phone function are exempt from the new law.

Despite the restrictions, drivers will still be able to make calls without touching their phone by using voice commands or pressing controls on an earpiece.

To see what you can and can't do, click here and scroll down

Retailers say the most popular option is a voice-activated speaker phone that clips on to a car's sun visor.

Calls are made by speaking to the device. For example, saying "call Pete" dials the number for Pete stored in the phone.

Such voice-activated speakers were the best-selling hands-free devices in the Bond & Bond Queen St store, said senior salesman Caleb Walding.

The more high-end products were flying out the door.

Products range in price from $80 to $230 for consumer-level devices, but they are limited in the number of phones they can connect to.

Differences between products include sound quality, the accuracy of the voice command system and the method of charging.

Lower-end devices require "training" before they can understand a specific driver's voice, and even then may dial the wrong name.

Some devices can be charged by solar or through a car's cigarette plug, but most need to be plugged into a household's electrical outlet about once every three weeks.

The clip-on speakers connect to mobile phones using a wireless technology called Bluetooth.

The phone can be left in a pocket or on the dashboard and does not have to be secured in a cradle.

Dick Smith buyer Carl Nielson said that, even counting older phones that were less likely to have the technology, most cellphones would already have Bluetooth.

Another more low-tech option is installing a phone cradle.

Mobile phones secured in a cradle can be used to make and receive calls if the driver pushes buttons on the phone only briefly and infrequently.

Entering a full phone number is permitted if the action is brief and infrequent.

Conversations would take place over the mobile phone's internal speakers unless an earpiece is used.

Retailers were neither stocking many cradles nor pushing it to buyers.

Bond & Bond was not stocking any phone cradles at all because it saw little use or demand for them, Mr Walding said.

Dick Smith had a $30 universal car cradle product in some stores, but Mr Nielson said the company did not see them as necessary for customers and was not actively recommending them.

Other options include earpieces and fully voice-activated phones.

Business-style phones such as the Blackberry and Nokia's E63 can be controlled by voice commands and do not need to be placed in a cradle but cost at least $700.

Earpieces often come free with a phone, while wireless ones are available from $50.

Earpieces usually have a button to pick up an incoming call, which is legal under the new law because an earpiece is not considered part of a mobile phone.

But few earpieces have a voice command system, making it necessary to handle mobile phones to dial any numbers. A cradle must therefore be used together with an earpiece.

Mr Nielson and Mr Walding said New Zealanders showed a clear preference for hands-free devices that clip on to a car's sun visor rather than using earpieces.

A survey carried out for the New Zealand Transport Agency last month found 96 per cent of drivers were aware they would be breaking the law by texting or talking on a hand-held mobile phone once the new laws came in force.

Car drivers CAN make calls on:

A fully voice-activated phone
- Can receive and make calls by voice commands.
- Phone can be left in pocket or on dashboard, does not have to be mounted.
- Mostly only on business-style phones with full keyboard.
- Examples: Blackberry, Nokia E63, Nokia E71.
Price: $700 and up.

A voice-activated hands-free kit
- Most clip on to a car's sun visor.
- Can receive and make calls by voice commands.
- Requires phone with Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
- Phone can be left in pocket or on dashboard, does not have to be mounted.
Price: $80 to $230.

Earpiece
- Can receive calls if there is a button on the earpiece.
- Cannot make calls unless used with a car cradle.
Price: Often comes free with phone.

Wireless earpiece
- Can receive calls by pressing a button on the earpiece.
- Most cannot make calls unless used with a car cradle.
- Requires phone with Bluetooth wireless connectivity.
- Phone can be left in pocket or on dashboard, does not have to be mounted.
Price: $50.

Phone in car cradle
Can receive and make calls by manipulating phone "infrequently and briefly".
Dialling a full phone number is okay.
Must talk over phone's loudspeaker or an earpiece.
Price: $30.

Drivers CANNOT:

Touch a phone if it is not mounted
- Including for uses other than making dalls, eg texting, listening to music or using a satellite navigation system.
- The rules apply even while stopped at a red light.
- The rules do not apply to music players, such as iPods, and other devices that do not have a phone function.

Most popular handsfree kits:

Blueant Supertooth III
- Noise cancelling and dual microphones and speakers for better sound quality.
- Accurate voice recognition.
- 2 year warranty.
Price: $230

Parrot Minikit Slim Handsfree
- Noise cancelling and dual-microphones and speakers for better sound quality.
Price: $80

DSE Bluetooth Handsfree Car Kit
- Noise reduction.
Price: $80