Hands-free through car radio - Device does not require Bluetooth

Chad Bryan, Gleaner Writer

In May, it was announced that by year-end legislation could be in place to make the use of cellphones - talking or texting - while driving illegal.

Making the announcement, Minister of Transport, Works and Housing Dr Omar Davies, said when the Act is passed, Jamaica will have a modernised Road Traffic Act and regulations predicated on ensuring that the road safety issues are addressed according to 21st century requirements.

He was addressing the International Road Federation (IRF) Caribbean Regional Congress, held at the Hilton Rose Hall Hotel, in Montego Bay, St James.

In the United States, with the promulgation of laws, as many as 10 states have banned the usage of talking on a hand-held cellphone while driving. In Jamaica, although there has been no explicit passage of law which relates directly to the use of cellular phones, which could change in the not-too-distant future, section 32 of the Road Traffic Act makes it clear that any person operating a motor vehicle without due care and attention is liable upon conviction to be fined.

Businessman Byron Thomas of Bytech Solutions claims to have the ideal solution to the issue of cellphone use while driving. He has imported a device called car baby, which he has rebranded the Bytech Solutions Car Baby. Thomas says the device is unique.

"It would probably be more expensive to purchase in the US. You won't find this in a Wal-Mart, that's for sure. I searched for it and found it in Europe for at least €10," he said.

Use with any cellphone

Unlike most hands-free car kits that require Bluetooth connectivity to function, this device does not require any and is compatible with almost any kind of cellphone. It operates by clipping the device onto the ear-piece of the cellphone and stationing the vehicle's radio frequency to either 88.9 or 106.5. According to Thomas, it has been tested and works in Jamaica.

Pushing a silver button in the centre of the device activates it and produces a speaker-like effect which can be heard through the radio. Thomas recommends that a Velcro attachment be used between the cellphone and the visor of the car.

Thomas explained that "the radios with channels that can be programmed would be best for this device, because all an individual has to do is touch one button. If the radio is not programmable then when the phone rings one has to search for the frequency that the unit is transmitting on".

The device, which will retail for $2,000, uses one AAA battery and offers users 10 hours of continuous talk time. It can also double as a conferencing device. Thomas operates the website bytechsolutions.weebly.com.