Each year more states and provinces enact restrictions on the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. That's why more truck drivers are looking at hands-free options to answer calls on their cell phones while out on the road.


"Finding a suitable option can be frustrating since not all hands-free devices work well in the environment of a truck cab," said Jeff Sass, general marketing manager for Paccar Parts, which distributes the new MIRREX Bluetooth headset exclusively through Kenworth and Peterbilt dealers in the United States and Canada. "The microphones found on many standard hands-free devices are designed for automotive use creating a need for a product built and engineered specifically for a truck cab, which we are proud to offer through our MIRREX product line."

Paccar Parts recently introduced the MIRREX Bluetooth-enabled headset, which is designed specifically for the truck environment. The headset features noise cancellation technology that effectively filters out background noise. Its long bendable boom allows drivers to talk at a normal conversational level, a good feature for team drivers who don't want to disturb their partners while they sleep.

The headset's rechargeable lithium battery offers up to 14 hours of talk time and 20 days of standby time per charge. The kit includes two chargers, a 12-volt vehicle charger and a 110-volt home charger.

Drivers can adjust the boom microphone to work for them whether they're right-handed or left-handed. The comfortable, cushioned earpiece and adjustable headband also makes it easy for drivers, especially those who wear glasses, to wear the headset and talk for hours without fatigue.

Because the headset is Bluetooth 2.0 EDR-compliant, pairing the headset to a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone is simple. Plus, it can be used up to 33 feet away from the cell phone. So, even if the cell phone is safely tucked away in the sleeper, the driver can still answer it. Many Bluetooth devices can only be paired to one cell phone for the life of the Bluetooth. The MIRREX Bluetooth headset can be paired with up to 8 cell phones individually making it easily transferable.

Three multi-function buttons on the side of the headset offer drivers fingertip control of volume and a number of calling features, including last number redial, call transfer and voice dial with cell phones with voice recognition.

Complete List of States, Provinces Banning the Use of Hand-held Cell Phones While Driving

As of March 2009, several states and provinces have enacted laws restricting or banning the use of hand-held cellular phones. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Governors Highway Safety Association, and Transport Canada:

The states of California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Utah and Washington and the District of Columbia and the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Quebec have all passed laws that ban the use of hand-held cellular phones while driving.

The states of Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio and Pennsylvania authorize local governments to ban drivers from using hand-held cell phones while driving. Localities in other states may not need specific statutory authority to ban the use of cell phones.

In Utah, and in Canada, drivers can be charged with a more serious offense of dangerous or careless driving if they commit some other moving violation, other than speeding, while talking on a hand-held cell phone.

Several states including Louisiana have enacted restrictions on the use of hand-held cell phones by novice drivers.

For a more complete, up-to-date list of restrictions and fines associated with cell phone use while driving, visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx, the Governors Highway Safety Association at www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html, or Transport Canada at www.tc.gc.ca/RoadSafety/SafeDrivers/distractions/index.htm.