Use Your Head, Not Your Hands: Keep Both Hands on the Wheel While Using Mobile Devices
Salem, Oregon and Hilo, Hawaii – December 1, 2009 – 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.
