A new law which just came into effect in California at the beginning of this year makes it permissible for a driver to send or receive a text message so long as they do so on a hands-free, voice-operated system. It would still be illegal, however, to text behind the wheel in any other manner that requires one’s hands and sight to be taken off the road. But not all safety advocates are pleased with the measure. The National Safety Council believes such an exception encourages the dangerous habit and still leads to cognitive distraction. And a Santa Maria-based member of the CHP believes that voice-activated systems can only work properly if the driver knows precisely how to use them.
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