Hands-free devices for cellphones are barely hitting the shelves before they're sold out at Future Shop in Charlottetown.
As of Saturday, it became illegal to use cellphones, smartphones and GPS devices while driving on P.E.I. Fines will cost drivers $250 to $400 and three demerit points.
Drivers dialing 911 are exempt from fines.
Megan Cunningham, a cellular expert at Future Shop, said the use of a hands-free device is even better than pulling over to use the devices.
"Not only can it be timely to pull over, it can also be frustrating to other drivers or dangerous if you're in the wrong spot."
Although the devices have only recently become popular, sales have always been steady among travellers.
"Other provinces have the laws and people are conscious of that when they're travelling," she said.
Devices include headsets and visor clips which range from $20 to $150.
They are very user-friendly, Cunningham said.
"You definitely get what you pay for."
To use the devices, some of the cheaper models require you to press just one button, while the more expensive models can be voice-activated.
The most popular brands are Jawbone and Bluant.
Driving while dialing or text messaging takes a great deal of concentration, Cunningham said.
"A hands-free device is an inexpensive solution for safer driving."
Ban on hand-held cellphones while driving prompts rush for hands-free devices
Ban on hand-held cellphones while driving prompts rush for hands-free devices
- Published on January 26th, 2010
- Published on June 15th, 2010
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Staff ~ Farm Focus
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Comments
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- Tyler
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:32:06
When is The Guardian going to stop using these articles as FREE ADVERTISEMENTS for the likes of Future Shop and Canadian Tire (who was featured in an almost identical story on Saturday!!!)
If you want to give free advertising to businesses, why not go to one of the smaller local shops who sell these devices and give THEM some free promotion instead of bleeding them for hundreds of dollars for a tiny ad in your newspaper?
Stop kissing the asses of the big corporations. The Guardian has become nothing more than a rag that bows down to the big companies.
I find it inexcusable and sad. -
- Bingo
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:24:24
It is difficult to move backwards when it comes to technology. Having a cell phone with you at all times is in some ways a blessing, and other ways a curse. It is distracting when driving, and these devices should help. Warnings followed by fines are appropriate in my book. Most cell phones are capable of taking a message; so wait until you are stopped before you use the phone if you don't want to buy one of these devices. I just ask drivers to stay alert. Toronto is going through a pedestrian/auto accident blitz this week, which makes this law easier to swallow.
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- Ross
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:02:57
Hmm. Does the below article look familiar? It was posted in the Guardian on Saturday and is almost identical to the one above except it talks to Future shop instead of Canadian Tire. Why do we need to see the same story twice in 4 days giving free advertising to the big players? Read both articles, they are almost identical and the new one above adds NOTHING to the story. What's going on at the Guardian these days?
Cellphone users scramble to be hands-free as new law is now in effect Breaking News print this article
BY STEPHEN BRUN
Transcontinental Media
SUMMERSIDE - Wireless headsets and hands-free devices for cellphones are selling like crazy, according to some area stores.
And crazy might be an apt description for any drivers who risk a $250 fine for driving while talking on hand-held mobile phones beginning today.
The provincial government's ban on the practice, now in effect, has led to big sales of devices with Bluetooth technology.
Our sales have probably tripled on Bluetooth headsets over the last couple of weeks, said Tom Puchniak, general manager of Canadian Tire in Summerside. A lot of people are inquiring to see what best suits their needs.
Under the Province's newly enacted legislation, police can fine drivers for talking while driving unless they're using devices like wireless headsets or speakerphones which clip onto visors.
Authorities have said there will be a grace period for motorists, but accumulating fines can range up to $400 and three demerit points.
Puchniak said Canadian Tire has several hands-free devices in stock, and models range in price from $20 to more than $100.
Josh Pitre, cellular product expert at Future Shop in Charlottetown, said the store is getting low on the devices but he expects more to arrive Monday.
Headsets there are proving to be popular with most buyers in the 25- to 45-year-old age range, but some elderly customers seem to prefer the visor speakerphones.
Pitre advised choosing a headset or speaker in the middle price range to provide a better sound quality experience.
Some of the less-expensive models have less noise cancellation and the sound quality isn't as good. They can also be harder to pair with your cell phone, he said. They take some getting used to. The headsets have to sit in the ear properly to get the right sound quality so people just have to be patient with them.
