Wife's contact with San Antonio PD.

[txcharvel]

" as long as it stays there, we'll both be happy"

I have not had an encounter with law enforcement in years and never with my CHL. I know they mean no harm and are probably trying to be light hearted about it, but I find comments like this really insulting. Is it just me?

[CoffeeNut]

" as long as it stays there, we'll both be happy"

I have not had an encounter with law enforcement in years and never with my CHL. I know they mean no harm and are probably trying to be light hearted about it, but I find comments like this really insulting. Is it just me?

If the gun were to move then both the officer and her would have a pretty bad day with a bad outcome. People act werid during traffic stops and sometimes a common sense reminder goes a long way. Tone is something we lack here and that can take it from a reminder to "insulting" but from what I've read it was all good.

[Frankie]

TAM,
My job has me and my coworkers on the road, A LOT! I spend a lot of time on conference calls and there's usually at least one person using a hands free while driving. I've learned not all standard equipped Bluetooth (hands free) devices are equal.
Since you plan on using it to speak with clients, I highly recommend you test drive one at highway speed. Call someone you know and get their feedback on how it sounds. If the road noise is so excessive that the conversation is ruined, keep looking. Some have the speaker mounted in the roof line near the windshield and while the interior cabin sounds quiet, that thing picks up a large amount of wind and road noise making most conversations very painful.
Also test drive the functions. Most allow you to push a button on the steering wheel and speak a command and name to place a call to someone. Some of the steering wheel buttons can be very cumbersome or sensitive causing you to drop the call when you attempt to connect or disconnect.
My wife's Lincoln MKX has been the best overall that we have experienced. A Ford Focus with Ford Sync has been one of the worst. My 2012 F150 works great for calls but doesn't read texts to me.

Also note, when you push the disconnect button, there is usually a delay of a few seconds before the call actually disconnects. I've had more than one coworker have an embarrassing moment in those few seconds of delay

[CoffeeNut]

I have hands free earphones of which I keep one in my ear so I can hear surrounding noises. However, after reading the ordinance, it appears that even talking on a hands free device can draw a fine.

That's not what I read for Austin and San Antonio had signs up saying get a hands free device.

[Frankie]

" as long as it stays there, we'll both be happy"

I have not had an encounter with law enforcement in years and never with my CHL. I know they mean no harm and are probably trying to be light hearted about it, but I find comments like this really insulting. Is it just me?

If the gun were to move then both the officer and her would have a pretty bad day with a bad outcome. People act werid during traffic stops and sometimes a common sense reminder goes a long way. Tone is something we lack here and that can take it from a reminder to "insulting" but from what I've read it was all good.

I asked my wife if she felt he was be condescending or light hearted, she said he was very relaxed about it but didn't smile like he was joking. She didn't take any offence and having a teen daughter, she quick to pick up on any under lying "tone".

[SewTexas]

I have hands free earphones of which I keep one in my ear so I can hear surrounding noises. However, after reading the ordinance, it appears that even talking on a hands free device can draw a fine.

That's not what I read for Austin and San Antonio had signs up saying get a hands free device.

the only way to get a fine in SA is if you have to touch your phone in order to activate your handsfree device, ie. some of the older devices you had to hit the phone in order to send it to your headset, that would violate the ordinance.

The other thing to be aware of, apparently, and I'm not sure about this, but some of my friends are saying this, apparently some of the surrounding towns are starting to enforce the SA ordinance in their area, even though they don't have the ordinance....I don't know how they're getting away with it. Something to do with bordering towns? no ones understands, but just be aware and use handsfree all over the larger metroplexes.

[bigity]

It's a horribly written law. As has been said, by the law you don't even have to be using it, just holding it in your hand is a fine.

Like you pick up your phone to relocate it because it's sliding off the center console. What happens if your phone calls and gets under your brake pedal? Etc

[RPBrown]

I have hands free earphones of which I keep one in my ear so I can hear surrounding noises. However, after reading the ordinance, it appears that even talking on a hands free device can draw a fine.

That's not what I read for Austin and San Antonio had signs up saying get a hands free device.

They may have signs up but according to this, https://www.municode.com/Api/CD/Ordinances/15302/671048" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; .
Read section (A) (2).

[joe817]

Wow. No using cel phones while in your car. That's pretty strict. I can sure see no texting for sure. Arlington has signs everywhere stating city ordinance prohibits texting while driving. Including stopped at stoplights. I'm good with that.

But no cel phone use at all. Well that's a little over the top, IMO.

[SewTexas]

I have hands free earphones of which I keep one in my ear so I can hear surrounding noises. However, after reading the ordinance, it appears that even talking on a hands free device can draw a fine.

That's not what I read for Austin and San Antonio had signs up saying get a hands free device.

They may have signs up but according to this, https://www.municode.com/Api/CD/Ordinances/15302/671048" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; .
Read section (A) (2).

read that section again and you'll see it says exactly what we were talking about. "while holding or touching the device: " You can not touch your device or they will get you. And believe me when I say that SA seems to be crawling with cops these days, even though they claim they have not increased their numbers.

[RoyGBiv]

The text of Austin's new ordinance. Basically, as it's been explained to me, if you're touching the device with your fingers (even if it's mounted and you're not holding it), then you're in violation.

https://www.municode.com/Api/CD/Ordinances/15302/671048" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I am currently researching new vehicles, and the ability for hands-free phone use is one of the features I'm going to be pretty insistent on. It's not that I use my phone a lot while driving, but I do occasionally use it, particularly to answer calls from clients.....who have no idea that I'm driving when they call......so I would like as much as possible to be able to do so without violating some city's ordinance of which I am unaware.

FYI... My Garmin GPS has the ability via bluetooth to connect to my phone and act as a handsfree device.

$165 including lifetime maps and traffic HERE
Refurb units are available online for less.

Bluetooth Compatible

Sync a Bluetooth-enabled device, such as your smartphone, to nuvi 2597LMT for hands-free calling through its integrated microphone and speaker. Safely stow your phone in a glove compartment, pocket or purse and still make and take calls without moving your hands from the steering wheel or your eyes from the road.

[CoffeeNut]

I have hands free earphones of which I keep one in my ear so I can hear surrounding noises. However, after reading the ordinance, it appears that even talking on a hands free device can draw a fine.

That's not what I read for Austin and San Antonio had signs up saying get a hands free device.

They may have signs up but according to this, https://www.municode.com/Api/CD/Ordinances/15302/671048" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; .
Read section (A) (2).

Read section (D) (2)

[johncanfield]

The San Antonio cellphone ordinance just went into effect a month or two ago.

[mojo84]

A dash or windshield mount for your phone solves much of the problem. I've been using one for a couple of years. I can do most things on my phone hands free and it keeps it in sight so it's obvious I'm not holding it. Also, makes it easy to see the maps.

One caveat, if you put it on the windshield, make sure it's not obstructing any of your view. Some cops will address that with you as well.

[Frankie]

The San Antonio cellphone ordinance just went into effect a month or two ago.

Actually, it went into effect Jan 1 but they gave a one mionth grace period where the only issued warnings. Starting Feb 1 no more warnings! I read an article that stated the city of SA issued more than 1000 fines in the 28 days of Feb at $202 per fine, that's more then $202,000 in just the first 28 days! The electronic hwy signs no longer warn drivers of the ordnance and I've yet to see a sign on the interstates warning drivers of the ordnance? Seems like with all the pass through traffic on I35, I37 and I10, this could be a serious financial windfall for the city?