Can’t Touch This! Hands-free Driving in San Antonio

OK, be honest: how many of you talk on the phone when you’re behind the wheel? I’ll admit, I make phone calls in the car all the time. What better way to pass the time in San Antonio traffic than to catch up with my mom whom I haven’t talked to since yesterday? And it’s so much easier to have a conversation when your toddler is strapped into her car seat instead of trying to yank the phone out of your hand.

I won’t ask for a confession about texting while driving. Hopefully you are not one of those people who missed my dirty look as I passed you on the interstate because your focus was on your text instead of the road.

hands free driving

A city ordinance banning the use of hand-held electronic devices while driving went into effect in San Antonio on January 1, 2015. After moving past the “but when am I going to call my mom??” reaction, I realized that even though this may seem inconvenient or even insignificant to many, this city ordinance really will make our roads safer by eliminating one more distraction for drivers. We all see the TxDOT signs noting the growing number of traffic deaths per year; how many of these tragedies could have been avoided if the drivers were focused on the road instead of their cell phones?

Following the new ordinance for you as a driver is simple: do not hold your phone in your hand while behind the wheel. That means no dialing, answering, texting, putting in an address on your GPS, reading an email, scrolling through Facebook at a stop light, checking score updates when traffic is slow…you get the idea. This will be a difficult transition for many of us who are in the habit of talking while driving or picking up our phone at a stop light, but the good news is that you can still use your phone in certain ways as long as it’s hands-free. No, that doesn’t mean balancing your phone on your lap so it’s not technically in your hand. You are allowed to push one button to enable or disable a device, like answering a call on speaker phone, or use voice activation. Find more information and read the actual ordinance here.

Here are some ways you can use your cell phone and still avoid the $200 traffic fine:

Use the Bluetooth capabilities that come with many newer model cars. If you’ve never connected your phone, check the owner’s manual for simple instructions. Tip: Most cars won’t allow you to connect a new device while you’re driving, so do it before you leave home, which is safer anyway!

If you have an older model car, you can purchase a Bluetooth headset from Amazon, your cell phone provider, or other retail stores. They start at around $40 and go up in price, depending on how fancy a headset you want. Or try this nifty little Bluetooth speakerphone that clips to your visor. Just make sure it’s compatible with your Smartphone before purchasing.

If you’ll be using your phone as a GPS, purchase a mounting device like this one. Be sure to enter the address before you hit the road so you can just tap GO when you’re ready.

Better yet, put your phone away! If it isn’t absolutely necessary, leave your phone in your bag in the back seat and use your drive time to talk with the people actually in the car with you, sing with your kids, or just enjoy the ever-changing scenery around our beautiful city. You’ll be surprised by what you’ve been missing, and everyone will get there safely!

Katie
Katie shares her passion for reading and learning as an elementary school librarian. She is a San Antonio transplant who loves traveling, reading, and encouraging her hubby’s new-found talents in BBQ. Her favorite time of year is a toss-up between summer for traveling and fall for college football (Roll Tide!). After six wonderful years of marriage, Katie and Jason welcomed their daughter in December of 2013! Although the journey to motherhood hasn’t been an easy one, she is thankful for the lessons in how important her faith, family, and friends truly are in life.