Currently, the Oregon hands-free law focuses on drivers texting and holding their phones to talk. That law will change on October 1st, and the law is a lot stricter in regards to what you can’t do with your phone and the fines got a lot steeper.
I’m coming to you as a convicted cell phone law breaker…not once, but twice, and that doesn’t even count the times I’ve been pulled over for it and was able to get out of it because I was “changing the music from my phone” that was connected to my Bluetooth stereo.
THE NEW LAW, HOUSE BILL 2597, STATES THAT YOU CAN’T DO ANYTHING ON YOUR CELL PHONE WHILE DRIVING. NOTHING, NADA, ZIP. HERE IS A LIST OF NON-TEXTING AND TALKING THINGS YOU PROBABLY DO ON YOUR PHONE THAT WILL NOW GET YOU A TICKET:
- Looking up driving directions.
- Changing music through your phone.
- Looking at your contacts list to make a hands-free call.
- Looking at Facebook, Instagram, and other social media apps.
- Taking photos of something cool, strange, or interesting while driving.
This law isn’t just while you’re driving and the vehicle is in motion. You can’t do it while you’re stopped at a light either. This means no cellphone use at all while in the car as the driver. It can’t be in your hands for any reason.
Oregon is taking this law seriously too. No longer is it a minor fine. If you are caught touching your phone at any time while in the driver’s seat, fines are up to $1,000 for a first offense. That goes to $2,500 for a second offense. Do it a third time, you are going to jail.
HERE IS OUR ADVICE.
- No matter how urgent a call, text, or email is, it can wait until you can get stopped at your destination or pulled over to the side of the road.
- Find and download an app that auto-responds to people who text you and lets them know that you are driving and unable to text back. Apple launches iOS 11 on September 19th, and it will have a Do Not Disturb While Driving feature with it. I use Android Auto, but even that app has the temptation to still touch my screen for music.
- Do everything you need to on your phone while parked, not just stopped. Dial the phone number, look up directions, and start the music you want to listen to.
- Finally, get a cell phone mount. If you put your phone on a cell phone mount you will still be able to safely and legally see your phone for directions, or what music is playing. You will even be able to prompt Siri or Android’s A.I. and have them do things for you on your phone without touching it.
Whether you have commercial drivers at your company or just want to keep your employees and customers safe, a logo-branded mount with a safe driving message will reinforce that nothing is more important than people’s safety, not even an urgent email or text from the boss or customer.
HERE ARE SOME OF OUR FAVORITE PHONE MOUNTS, PLEASE CONTACT US AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT A WAY TO GET THIS MESSAGE ACROSS TO THE PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT.
- PopSockets with Popclip
- Vent Clip with Magnet Backing – A magnet goes between your case and your phone. There are many variations of this product, we can help you choose the best one.
- RINGR