If I'm having a conversation for undetermined amount of time, then I'd have to have my hand off the wheel the ENTIRE time. In comparison, it is by no means necessary to hold the shift lever or turn signals but for that second or two that I'm using it.

I'm guessing that is a blanket study, but I know for a fact that when I'm riding my bike, I calm down and I'm not as edgy when I've got music playing vs listening to the drone of the exhaust....but as you stated, I'm only listening vs talking, so maybe my point is moot. I can agree that w/ you that me being in the car by myself that the other person on the line has no clue as to what's going on while I'm driving...but at the same time, just because someone is still talking, that doesn't mean I'm forced to pay attention. Ask my GF I know that in times of complete concentration, I don't even have the slightest clue of the things I've heard, so once again, just because the distraction is there, doesn't mean I'm paying attention to it at that moment.

I've not once quoted an actual study on here, nor am I going to start now. You said I can't site BT manufacturers, so can I site our own, the holy grail of safety, BMW itself (and countless other automobile manufacturers)? BMW sells it as a safety feature, do they not? As I said, I could probably find studies showing one vs the other, so who ever reads that study will always side w/ what they agree w/ anyways, just like our varying opinions on transmission servicing...I know what I've done, you know what you've done, and no one is going to tell use otherwise. I know from my own experience, that if I'm going to be talking period, what seems to make more logical sense to me. Dedicating an arm to hold a phone (and everything that comes w/ it that I've stated above) vs having my hands free only makes more sense in my eyes. I can even think of instances while working as well where using a BT is safer than holding a phone - I can still be removing a customers transmission w/ a BT in my ear...I can't do that holding a phone. If I can't have two hands free at a moments notice to remove a 300lb transmission, I sure as hell shouldn't be piloting 4000lbs down the road either.

I agree, it's easier to ticket people holding phones in general vs trying to decide if they we're texting or talking to someone. Not that I use it, but my phone can do just about everything via voice command, so in reality, I'd never need to hold it ever and I could still do all the same things I do today while driving. Cars are becoming the same way, from using the built-in phones, controlling the climate, music playing, etc. Based on the trend w/ electronics in cars, it seems that hands-free is what everyone is leaning towards...which I completely agree with. Banning cellphones all together, I think that'll be a tough sell unless they pull us over for seeing out lips moving...even w/o a BT in my ear, I've still got speakerphone or built-in BT in my stereo. I can see the future now....getting pulled over for singing a song while the officer next to me thinks I'm on the phone .

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