Use Your Head, Not Your Hands: Keep Both Hands on the Wheel While Using Mobile Devices
Come January 1, the state of Oregon and the County of Hawaii (Big
Island) will join states and cities across the United States and ban the
use of handheld mobile electronic devices while driving a motor vehicle.
Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT), the world leader in communication
headsets for over 48 years, encourages Oregon and Big Island drivers to
get ready for the new law by familiarizing themselves with the available
hands-free options and a few simple safety tips.
“Plantronics is pleased to see Oregon and the Big Island join the
increasing number of municipalities, counties and states adopting
hands-free legislation to help motorists keep both hands on the wheel,”
said Elizabeth Bastiaanse Hamren, vice president of Product Marketing at
Plantronics. “Complying with the law is easy because users have more
options than ever before. Plantronics offers a broad portfolio of
headsets that fit a wide range of personal styles and budgets while
still providing the first-rate audio quality, comfort and style that
consumers expect from Plantronics.”
Today’s busy commuters often make mobile phone calls on the road which
can cause physical impairments while driving. With the use of headsets,
these drivers can continue to enjoy the convenience of talking in the
car while keeping both hands on the wheel. Drivers in Oregon and the Big
Island should consider the following safety tips while using a headset
and driving:
-
Try it out: Test your headset with your phone before you drive.
Familiarize yourself with the headset’s controls and adjust the fit
and volume. Make sure your headset and phone are connected and store
your phone so it is out of your way but still accessible.
-
Get organized: Make sure frequently called numbers are
programmed into your phone. Most phones have voice-dialing; be sure to
use this feature so you aren’t fumbling with your phone while driving.
-
Set it up: Add headset preparation to your pre-driving
checklist. Buckle your seatbelt, check your rearview mirror, and put
on your headset and make sure it’s connected to your phone before you
drive.
-
Focus on the road: Always remember that driving safely is your
first priority. You should focus on the road and only place and
receive calls when it’s absolutely necessary.
Best-in-Class Bluetooth Headsets
Among the Bluetooth(R) headsets available to drivers in Oregon and the
Big Island are the Plantronics Voyager(R) PRO and the Plantronics
Discovery(R) 975 headsets.
The Plantronics Voyager PRO provides the industry’s most advanced
noise-canceling and wind noise reduction technology. Winner of the
coveted Editors’ Choice awards from CNET and PC Magazine, the
Plantronics Voyager PRO features AudioIQ2, next generation digital
signal processing (DSP) technology, to deliver superior noise and wind
cancellation as well as rich, natural inbound audio so you can hear and
be heard clearly. Ideal for drivers, Plantronics Voyager PRO is
extremely comfortable and the battery provides up to six hours of talk
time before having to recharge.
The Plantronics Discovery 975 headset, also a CNET Editor’s Choice award
winner, is the perfect blend of innovative design and advanced audio
technology. It provides ingeniously simple one-touch controls to keep
drivers focused on the road, not the headset. The sleek, elegant design
houses sophisticated technology, including AudioIQ2 DSP technology with
dual-microphones to cancel background noise and three layers of
WindSmart(R) technology to minimize wind noise. It comes with an
innovative rechargeable carrying case that can triple talk time from 5
hours to up to 15 hours.
Both the Plantronics Voyager PRO and Discovery 975 headsets are
available at leading retail and wireless carrier stores. To learn more
about the headsets and see a complete listing of Plantronics’ hands-free
products, please visit: www.plantronics.com.
Plantronics recognizes that there are occasions when driving
circumstances make talking on a mobile phone - handheld or hands-free -
unsafe. In these instances, motorists should pull over or hang up to
protect the safety of themselves, their passengers and others on the
road.
Tweet to Win
Plantronics is giving US residents a chance to win the award winning
Plantronics Discovery 975 and Voyager PRO headsets in December.
Just follow @Plantronics on Twitter and then visit www.plantronics.com/handsfree
for information about how to enter. A drawing will be held every week.
At the end of the month, one grand prize winner will receive both
headsets and a $1,000 gas card.
About Plantronics
Plantronics is a world leader in personal audio communications for
professionals and consumers. From unified communication solutions to
Bluetooth headsets, Plantronics delivers unparalleled audio experiences
and quality that reflect our nearly 50 years of innovation and customer
commitment. Plantronics is used by every company in the Fortune 100 and
is the headset of choice for air traffic control, 911 dispatch and the
New York Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit www.plantronics.com
or call (800) 544-4660.
AudioIQ2, Plantronics, Plantronics Discovery, Plantronics Voyager and
WindSmart are trademarks or registered trademarks of Plantronics, Inc.
The Bluetooth(R) word mark and logos are registered trademarks of
Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Plantronics is under
license. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
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