Cell phones are a huge part of our lives these days. Everyone seems to have a cell phone because they make everything so much more convenient. The problem that we are facing with cell phones though, is how many car accidents they are causing.
In the United States there are over 210 million people that use cell phones. People are relying on them more and more. Because of all the car accidents associated with cell phone use, we must decide whether this convenience is really worth it in the car.
When drivers use the cell phone in the car, there are two big problems. First, you have to take your eyes off the road to dial. Second, cell phone conversations can be so absorbing that you lose the ability to concentrate on driving. This is very dangerous and jeopardizes the safety of everyone in and around the car.
In a study done in April 2006, it was found that 80% of car crashes involved the driver not paying attention right before the accident. The most common cause of these distractions is cell phones. Drowsiness was the second biggest distraction. Other distractions include eating, talking, attending to children and putting on makeup. People that talk on the phone and drive at the same time are four times more likely to get into an accident that is bad enough to cause injury.
In another study, it was found that drivers who talked on hands-free phones were slower to brake by 18% and took longer to get their speed back after they braked. Also, drivers on hands-free phones could not remember seeing billboards, pedestrians, or other things by the road. So, just because the phone is hands-free, it still isn’t safe to use while driving. People using hands-free cell phones still have to concentrate on the conversation, which takes their attention off the road.
Many states and cities are continuously trying to get laws passed which will ban the use of cell phones in the car. Some places have already passed laws, such as Connecticut, New Jersey and Chicago. Connecticut drivers are fined $100 for using the cell phone while driving, as well as doing other things such as putting on makeup or disciplining children in the car. New Jersey fines people $100 to $250 for using the phone.
Even businesses that do most of their work by phone are prohibiting their workers from using phones in the car. Many businesses now have policies in effect that require their employees to get off the road to make business calls.
There are at least 40 countries today that restrict or ban using the cell phone while driving. These countries include Austria, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Chile, Botswana, Denmark, Finland, Egypt, France, Greece, Germany, India, Ireland, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Italy, Kenya, Jordan, Malaysia, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, the Philippines, Romania, Portugal, Singapore, Russia, Slovenia, the Slovak Republic, South Korea, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkmenistan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Zimbabwe. Most of these countries totally ban the use of cell phones while driving. In France, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands drivers are allowed to use phones, but if they are in an accident they will be fined.
As more and more places put bans on cell phones, drivers need to be aware that they are a serious danger to use while driving. If you must make a call it is best if you pull off the road and make your call from the side of the road. That will keep you and everyone around you safer.
Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Cell Phones
Filed under Cell Phones by on Aug 27th, 2008. Comment. 
When you want to wake up in the morning, you probably have to rely on an alarm clock to get you up. Most people have a dual alarm clock radio in their bedrooms that gets them up when they need to for work or for whatever else they need to get up for. A dual alarm clock radio will either emit a high pitched screeching alarm that is sure to wake you up, or it will allow you to wake up with your favorite radio station playing. Most people have their preference for what they’d like to wake up to but both alarm and radio folk have to worry about that pesky snooze button that often makes them late.
Radio Alarm
The dual alarm clock radio has a great radio function that allows you to choose your favorite radio station to wake up to. You simply set your dual alarm clock radio the night before, setting it to go off to the radio station of your choice, and you’ll be awakened the next morning by the music of your choice. You can choose your favorite Top 40, Jazz, News or Easy Listening station, or anything else you want, and your dual alarm clock radio will wake you up to hopefully your favorite song.
High Pitched Alarm
If the radio doesn’t seem to wake you up, your dual alarm clock radio also comes with a real alarm. Unless you have another type of clock, such as a nature sounds clock radio, this is typically a high pitched screeching alarm that will not only sound like nails on a chalk board, but it’s sure to wake you up even in the deepest realms of dream land. Some people can’t stand this alarm function on their dual alarm clock radios, but that’s kind of the point. It’s better to get up to something that’s going to wake you up rather than sleep through your favorite song so you’re late for work.
Snooze Button
Whether you’re an alarm person or a radio person, don’t get stuck in the snooze button trap. Most dual alarm clock radios have a snooze button that allows you to postpone the alarm for a few more minutes so that you can get a little more sleep. Most people hit that snooze button three or four times before they actually get up. This can make you late. If this describes you, you may want to set your alarm a few minutes earlier than normal so that you aren’t late for whatever engagements you have for that day.
Filed under Cell Phone Accessories by on Aug 26th, 2008. Comment.
The variety of MP3 player accessories available these days is huge—and growing every day. In fact, for just about any situation you can think of where you might use your MP3 player, someone has come up with a unique piece of equipment that will help you get the most from your MP3 files, whether they are music or video. Let’s take a look at some of the creative MP3 player accessories that are available, both online and at your favorite local electronics source.
Cases and other Carriers for your MP 3
What’s one of the best things about MP3 players? Portability, of course! One of the most-used MP3 player accessories for many people is a good, sturdy, great-looking case. Or, if you’re a jogger, biker, or skateboarder, maybe what you’re looking for is an armband, so you can take your tunes with you while you’re on the go. Clips for belts and backpack straps are another popular option. You can expect to pay from $9.99 for some of the least expensive cases, up to $29.99 or more for the higher-end sport armbands or other carriers.
Speakers
But enjoying your MP3 player isn’t always about portability, right? There are lots of great speaker solutions that allow you to get that concert-hall sound right in your living room. Often, these speaker docks will have built-in chargers for your player, and some feature built-in FM radios receivers and other features as well. Many of the most respected names in sound equipment offer speakers for your MP3 player that allow you to listen to your music with impressive depth and volume of sound. Prices can run from the high $20s to $250 and more, depending on the features you need.
Car connections
One of the most creative MP3 player accessories on the market today is a device that allows you to listen to your MP3 files through your car’s stereo system. In fact, some auto manufacturers have begun installing MP3 inputs at the factory. But even if your ride didn’t come with a built-in MP3 jack, don’t despair—plenty of vendors have what you need to hear your favorite music (or watch your video files with sound from your car’s audio system) while you’re cruising down the road. Many of the most popular MP3 player accessories for the car use the FM receiver in your car system to play files through the stereo. Many of these devices, in fact, are wireless—just plug them into the appropriate input on your MP3 player, tune them to the proper FM band, and you’re all set!
Other Cool Stuff
The above list is nowhere near exhaustive. Other MP3 player accessories that can enhance your enjoyment of your system include headphones and ear buds, FM-capture devices that allow you to convert FM radio to MP3 files, universal docks, headphone splitters to permit multiple users to connect headphones to the same MP3 player… and lots more!
Filed under Cell Phone Accessories by on Aug 25th, 2008. Comment.