 |
California Hands-free Cell Phone Law Effective July 1, 2008
Starting July 1, 2008, NO DRIVING WHILE USING A HANDHELD CELL PHONE IN CALIFORNIA. If you want to talk and drive, you must use a hands-free device such as a Bluetooth or wireless headset. This law applies to persons who are 18 years old and older. If you’re under 18 years old, YOU CAN NOT USE ANY CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING. Basically, all cell phones are banned if you’re under 18 while driving.
Fees: First offense will be a $20.00 fine and $50.00 for each subsequent conviction.
Two New Laws:
Two new laws dealing with the use of wireless telephones while driving go into effect July 1, 2008. Below is a list of Frequently Asked Questions concerning these new laws.
Q: When do the new wireless telephone laws take effect?
A: The new laws take effect July 1, 2008.
Q: What is the difference between the two laws?
A: The first prohibits all drivers from using a handheld wireless telephone while operating a motor vehicle, (Vehicle Code (VC) §23123). Motorists 18 and over may use a "hands-free device." Drivers under the age of 18 may NOT use a wireless telephone or hands-free device while operating a motor vehicle (VC §23124).
Q: What if I need to use my telephone during an emergency, and I do not have a "hands-free" device?
A: The law allows a driver to use a wireless telephone to make emergency calls to a law enforcement agency, a medical provider, the fire department, or other emergency services agency.
Q: What are the fines(s) if I’m convicted?
A: The base fine for the FIRST offense is $20 and $50 for subsequent convictions. With the addition of penalty assessments, the fines can be more than triple the base fine amount.
Q: Will I receive a point on my driver license if I’m convicted for a violation of the wireless telephone law?
A: No. The violation is a reportable offense, however, DMV will not assign a violation point.
Q: Will the conviction appear on my driving record?
A: Yes, but the violation point will not be added.
Q: Will there be a grace period when motorists will only get a warning?
A: No. The law becomes effective July 1, 2008. Whether a citation is issued is always at the discretion of the officer based upon his or her determination of the most appropriate remedy for the situation.
Q: Are passengers affected by this law?
A: No. This law only applies to the person driving a motor vehicle.
Q: Do these laws apply to out-of-state drivers whose home states do not have such laws?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I be pulled over by a law enforcement officer for using my handheld wireless telephone?
A: Yes. A law enforcement officer can pull you over just for this infraction.
Q: What if my phone has a push-to-talk feature, can I use that?
A: No. The law does provide an exception for those operating a commercial motor truck or truck tractor (excluding pickups), implements of husbandry, farm vehicle or tow truck, to use a two-way radio operated by a “push-to-talk” feature. However, a push-to-talk feature attached to a hands-free ear piece or other hands-free device is acceptable.
Q: What other exceptions are there?
A: Operators of an authorized emergency vehicle during the course of employment are exempt, as are those motorists operating a vehicle on private property.
DRIVERS 18 AND OVER
Drivers 18 and over will be allowed to use a "hands-free" device to talk on their wireless telephone while driving. The following FAQs apply to those motorists 18 and over.
Q: Does the new “hands-free” law prohibit you from dialing a wireless telephone while driving or just talking on it?
A: The new law does not prohibit dialing, but drivers are strongly urged not to dial while driving.
Q: Will it be legal to use a Bluetooth or other earpiece?
A: Yes, however you cannot have BOTH ears covered.
Q: Does the new "hands-free" law allow you to use the speaker phone function of your wireless telephone while driving?
A: Yes.
Q: Does the new “hands-free” law allow drivers 18 and over to text message while driving?
A: The law does not specifically prohibit that, but an officer can pull over and issue a citation to a driver of any age if, in the officer’s opinion, the driver was distracted and not operating the vehicle safely. Sending text messages while driving is unsafe at any speed and is strongly discouraged.
DRIVERS UNDER 18
Q: Am I allowed to use my wireless telephone "hands-free?"
A: No. Drivers under the age of 18 may not use a wireless telephone, pager, laptop or any other electronic communication or mobile services device to speak or text while driving in any manner, even "hands-free." EXCEPTION: Permitted in emergency situations to call police, fire or medical authorities (VC §23124).
Q: Why is the law stricter for provisional drivers?
A: Statistics show that teen drivers are more likely than older drivers to be involved in crashes because they lack driving experience and tend to take greater risks. Teen drivers are vulnerable to driving distractions such as talking with passengers, eating or drinking, and talking or texting on wireless devices, which increase the chance of getting involved in serious vehicle crashes.
Q: Can my parents give me permission to allow me to use my wireless telephone while driving?
A: No. The only exception is an emergency situation that requires you to call a law enforcement agency, a health care provider, the fire department or other emergency agency entity.
Q: Does the law apply to me if I’m an emancipated minor?
A: Yes. The restriction applies to all licensed drivers who are under the age of 18.
Q: If I have my parent(s) or someone age 25 years or older in the car with me, may I use my wireless telephone while driving?
A: No. You may only use your wireless telephone in an emergency situation.
Q: Will the restriction appear on my provisional license?
A: No.
Q: May I use the hands-free feature while driving if my car has the feature built in?
A: No. The law prohibits anyone under the age of 18 from using any type of wireless device while driving, except in an emergency situation.
Q: Can a law enforcement officer stop me for using my "hands-free" device while driving?
A: For drivers under the age of 18, this is considered a SECONDARY violation meaning that a law enforcement officer may cite you for using a "hands-free" wireless device if you were pulled over for another violation. However, the prohibition against using a handheld wireless device while driving is a PRIMARY violation for which a law enforcement officer can pull you over.
The two laws were the result of SB 1613 and SB 33, authored by Senator Joe Simitian and signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in September 2006.
Source: DMV California
Seagate ST336753LC Cheetah 36GB 15KRPM Ultra320 SCSI 80-Pin Hard Disk
Seagate ST336753LC Cheetah 36GB 15K RPM Ultra320 SCSI 80-Pin Hard Disk - OEM, ONLY $88.95!
Manufacturer: Seagate
MFR Part #: ST336753LC
Condition: New
Packaging: Bulk/OEM
Description
The Cheetah 15K.3 has the lowest cost for 15K drive, and the lowest cost-per-I/O disk drive ever. It is fast, cool, and quiet, and has the highest reliability rating in the industry. 15K RPM spindle speed delivers over 30% more I/Os per second than 10K, and faster sustained transfer rates, enabling the same high performance to be attained, with fewer drives. The drive features 3D Defense System, the most comprehensive drive protection system in the industry, consisting of Drive Defense, Data Defense and Diagnostic Defense. Seagate’s Advanced Multidrive System optimizes the drive for maximum I/O performance in Multidrive environments. The Just-In-Time (JIT) feature minimizes actuator impact on power, vibration and acoustics.
| General | |
| Compatibility | PC |
| Depth | 5.8 in |
| Device Type | Hard drive - hot-swap |
| Height | 1 in |
| Weight | 1.8 lbs |
| Width | 4 in |
| Environmental Parameters | |
| Max Operating Temperature | 131 F |
| Min Operating Temperature | 41 F |
| Shock Tolerance | 15 g @ 11ms half-sine pulse (operating) / 250 g @ 2ms half-sine pulse (non-operating) |
| Sound Emission | 32 dB |
| Expansion / Connectivity | |
| Compatible Bays | 1 x hot-swap - 3.5" x 1/3H |
| Hard Drive | |
| Buffer Size | 8 MB |
| Capacity | 36.7 GB |
| Compliant Standards | S.M.A.R.T. |
| Features | 3D Defense System |
| Form Factor | 3.5" x 1/3H |
| Interface Type | Ultra320 SCSI |
| Manufacturer Warranty | |
| Average Latency | 2 ms |
| Drive Transfer Rate | 320 MBps (external) / 111.4 MBps (internal) |
| Seek Time | 3.6 ms (average) |
| Spindle Speed | 15000 rpm |
| Track-to-Track Seek Time | 0.2 ms |
| Reliability | |
| MTBF | 1,200,000 hour(s) |
| Non-Recoverable Errors | 1 per 10^15 |
| Recoverable Errors | 1 per 10^13 |
| Seek Errors | 1 per 10^9 |
| Warranty | 5 Year Limited |
Gotta give to the iPod Designers
They built the Nano around a 1.8" hard drive. I had discovered the majority of our Toshiba MK2004GAL 1.8" 20GB 4200RPM (ATA 2-5) Hard Disk sales were to replace their current Nano drives with this drive. I have the 3rd Generation 8GB iPod and I want to upgrade it. However, I don’t know where to start. If you know how and have replaced it successfully, YOU MAY SHARE YOUR TECHNICAL EXPERTISE with us. TKS!
The Nano is just a little bit bigger than the drive. AMAZING I TELL YOU.
We also sell the Toshiba MK4006GAH 1.8" 40GB 4200RPM 8.0mm ATA-6 Hard Disk for Sony Vaio notebooks.
Wii Selling Well, but Not at Record Rate
I spent the first week playing the free game that came with the purchase of Wii. After that, I stopped playing and it’s now just sitting there. Lol. Now and then, when friends and family members comes over is when we play again. I guess I need to buy more games. 
Ouch! Do you guys feel the same?
Try Google Checkout & Save 5% Off!
AyaGroup is proud to offer 5% off on your order when you use Google Checkout as your payment method. Use the coupon code SPECIAL when you’re in your Google Checkout Account. 5% only applies to item(s) in your shopping cart, not on shipping charge or any applicable tax. OFFER EXPIRES: 12/31/2007
Why Google Checkout?
- Stop creating multiple accounts and passwords.
With Google Checkout™ you can quickly and easily buy from stores across the web and track all your orders and shipping in one place. - Shop with confidence.
Our fraud protection policy covers you against unauthorized purchases made through Google Checkout, and we don’t share your purchase history or full credit card number with sellers. - Control commercial spam.
You can keep your email address confidential, and easily turn off unwanted emails from stores where you use Google Checkout.
Click here for instructions.