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longtooth wrote:

KBCraig wrote: I'm about to start parent-taught driver's ed with my 16 year old daughter. We'll be using the family van. The stereo has a detachable faceplate. Before she's ever turned loose to drive on her own, the faceplate will be in my desk drawer.

Kevin

Kevin, I really enjoyed our visit Sat. I know you had a tough trip from top to bottom & back.
Yes I also think your daughter is one good young lady. Give her my encouragement on the Drivers Ed. I
LT.

Thanks for the opportunity to get out and stretch my legs and enjoy some good company. It was almost exactly 12 hours from the time I left home until we got back.

And the next day I had a six hour round trip, picking up my sons from their mom's house.

Texarkana to Houston and back in one day is rough, especially when followed by a round trip to Pine Bluff. But having the kids here is totally worth it. And on the 19th, our oldest son will be home on leave from the Army, and we'll have all five of them together for the first time since Christmas 2005.

Liberty wrote:I spend 2 1/2 hours a day commuting. The bluetooth earpiece allows me to send some time with my wife that I wouldn't normally have. It is no more distracting than if she were riding with me as a passenger.

The credible studies indicate that cell phone usage and car safety don't vary based on hands-free versus holding a phone. It's not the phone that's distracting, it's the conversation. Similar results are found when drivers are in conversation with passengers (especially with teenage drivers and passengers).

Eating and fiddling with the stereo are even more dangerous.

I'm about to start parent-taught driver's ed with my 16 year old daughter. We'll be using the family van. The stereo has a detachable faceplate. Before she's ever turned loose to drive on her own, the faceplate will be in my desk drawer.

Kevin

"Spock ears", as we call them.

I have to admit, it would be handy in a situation requiring both hands. I don't have a bluetooth phone, and would be unlikely to wear Spock ears unless I was driving. (Face it: even if you're a bluetooth user, when you see someone walking around Wal Mart talking to themself, aren't you more likely to assume they're crazy, than that they're on the phone?)

Even without hands-free, I'm hitting the emergency button, then dropping the phone in my shirt pocket. I don't need to be able to hear the 9-1-1 operator, I only need them to hear me. I'll relay all the relevant information, loudly: who (me), where, what, why; and please send police, this person is attacking me!

Kevin

TraCoun wrote:A few months ago I heard (don't ask me where, when or from whom, I'm too old ) that EVERY cell phone, no matter whether you have it 'with' a service provider or not, is supposed to be capable of calling 911. Not exactly relevant to this discussion, but something to think about if you have old ones laying around gathering dust ... like I do.

TraCoun

That's true. Every cell phone can make two calls, even without service: connect to the service provider, or call 911.

I'm giving my old one to my mother. She doesn't want a cell phone for regular use, but wants to have it in case of emergency.

One caution: a cell phone that is turned on, but which has no service, will eat up its battery quickly by querying and searching for towers. Charge it up, turn it off, and recharge it on a weekly basis if needed.

Kevin

Bluetooth is cool technology, but don't forget to double-check your security settings.

Here is a good explanation why: http://trifinite.org/trifinite_stuff_carwhisperer.html

Kevin