New cellphone law questions

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Balchy

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#39451 14-Aug-2009 08:25

Does anyone know if you are allowed to us personal handsfree kits, or even the handsfree function built into phones under the new law?

For billions of years since the outset of time, every single one of your ancestors survived, every single person on your Mum and Dads side, successfully looked after and passed onto you life. What are the chances of that like?

heavenlywild

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#246395 14-Aug-2009 08:30

Yes, from what I know you can use your handsfree kits or the speaker phone function on your phone without any problems.

As long as your hands are off your phone you should be fine.

Balchy

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#246397 14-Aug-2009 08:31

Sweet! cheers for that

old3eyes

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#246398 14-Aug-2009 08:31

Just watch the price of handsfree and blue peripherals go up over the next 6 months..

Regards,

Old3eyes

Dratsab

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#246957 15-Aug-2009 14:30

Balchy: Does anyone know if you are allowed to us personal handsfree kits, or even the handsfree function built into phones under the new law?

TV3 were initially reporting that only car kits would be allowed, which is not true, but doesn't surprise me.

There's a PDF of the rule here which outlines all the proposed regulation changes, not just relating to mobile phones. Click on the link which says Draft Rule.

On page 10, point 21 indicates the insertion of a new clause - 7.3A. Subsections (2)(d)(i) and (2)(d)(ii) - must be read in tandem - contain the answer to your question.

The way I read it, a loose phone must not be held or manipulated in any way to make, answer or terminate a call. This is fine for your little bluetooth headset but a little more complicated if you want to use the speakerphone function.

If you can set your phone to automatically answer and be on speakerphone while you're in the car - no problem. But if you have to either grab the phone and press and answer button and/or switch it to speakerphone then you've breached the rule.

What I think the general aim is here though, is to stop people texting while driving or driving with a phone glued to their ear, as so many people seem to do.

OT but old3eyes is probably right about peripherals. Looks like I might be in the market for a new car stereo (with integrated bluetooth) a bit sooner than I thought...

Aaroona

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#248067 18-Aug-2009 11:14

As far as im aware, we are allowed to use hands free kits, whether it be the speaker phone version that you wire into your car. or the headset that you plug into your phone.

Either way, I think the government should start up a package that gives a discount to those buying one any time soon (well, as soon as the law is passed).

Jizah

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#248274 18-Aug-2009 18:18

I don't think the Government should help discount them at all. In fact I think they should discourage people talking on the phone while driving altogether.

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patatrat

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#248280 18-Aug-2009 18:36

Jizah: I don't think the Government should help discount them at all. In fact I think they should discourage people talking on the phone while driving altogether.

Yes. I still think that people should pull over to speak on the phone, regardless of having a hands free kit or not.

Studies have shown that speaking on a phone while driving (even using a hands free kit) is detrimental to attention, more so than speaking to a passenger.

This could be due to the fact that driving conditions will generally become part of the conversation with a passenger, while the person on the other end of the phone is removed from driving. I read about this a few years ago in New Scientist, but unfortunately, my Google fu fails me tonight. Wiki has some studies though.

Jizah

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#249143 20-Aug-2009 17:56

http://www.dft.gov.uk/drivingchallenge/

Try this.

brendand

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#249380 21-Aug-2009 12:19

It's undefined. I think personal hands free kits should be allowed. I use mine all the time. I start a phone call while i'm pulled over, and then start driving again.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: info@nzta.govt.nz

Hi,

Can you please clarify the definition of Hands-free mobile phone, as described here:
http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/rules/q-and-a/road-user-amendment-rule-2009.html#1

Will a "Personal Hands-free kit" (as shown here http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nokia-HDC-5-Personal-Hands-Free-Kit/dp/B00004YV4G) meet the requirements, or does the rule require an installed "Hands-free car kit"?

Also, would a mobile phone with a built in loud speaker qualify as a hands-free mobile phone.

Thanks,

------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 4:46 PM, Info@nzta.govt.nz wrote:
Good afternoon Brendan

Thank you for your email dated 17 August 2009.

We have forwarded your query to the appropriate department for assistance, however we are unable to provide a definition of a "hands-free mobile" at this time. The Draft Land Transport Rule: Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule [2009] has not gone through its final signing at this stage. We will hold on to your query and provide an answer to your question when available.

Regards

__________________________________________________________

Senior Customer Service Representative

NZ Transport Agency
Transport Registry Centre
Private Bag 11777
Palmerston North 4442
New Zealand
www.nzta.govt.nz

sarg

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#249390 21-Aug-2009 12:39

The Draft Land Transport Rule: Land Transport (Road User) Amendment Rule [2009]
Interpretation
mobile telephone?
(a) includes a portable electronic device that also functions as a mobile telephone; but
(b) does not include?
(i) a CB radio or any other two-way radio; or
(ii) a separate earpiece, or a separate mouthpiece, that is temporarily attached to the mobile telephone for the purpose of allowing the mobile telephone to be used without being hand-held or manipulated

this is the draft definition.and may change

that would be an ecumenical matter

Balchy

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#249402 21-Aug-2009 13:05

Jizah: http://www.dft.gov.uk/drivingchallenge/

Try this.

Ha that is awesome, got all the spacebar hits, and overcounted by 2 - my math cant be that good lol