The City of Austin is now a Hands-Free city, as of January 1st, 2015. This new “Hands Free” ordinance prohibits using all portable electronic devices while driving your car, and even while riding your bike.
Luckily you can still use Carma during your morning and afternoon commute just the same! Carma was always designed to be safe for everyone in the vehicle. To begin your Carma Carpool trip, the driver needs not do anything. The passenger clicks Start Trip and selects their driver. That’s it!
Here’s some other handy tips to help you stay hands-free while driving:
- If you need to make a call while driving your vehicle, it will need to be done without using your hands while the vehicle is in motion. The ordinance does allow for Austinites to make calls using a Bluetooth phone system or headphones, as long as the driver does not use the device in-hand. Or, wait until you’re parked or at a complete stop.
- You are still allowed to use “an affixed GPS system”. For example, a GPS system that is mounted into the dashboard of your car. If you need to use your handheld GPS device, make sure to pull the vehicle over to a safe place, out of traffic, and find your directions. The easiest route: try setting your GPS directions before you start driving
- Turn on the step-by-step voice guidance navigation to allow the directions to be read aloud to you while driving.
Carpooling is a great way to get to work and be productive as a Rider. Skip the driver’s seat and play on your phone all the way to the office with no risk of getting a $500 fine.
Reducing distracted driving is good for everyone in Austin. Cheers to a better, safer commute in 2015!
Happy Carpooling,
Team Carma Austin