This article is from page 2 of the 2006-08-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 2 JPG
THE demand for hands-free kits has soared in Clare, as drivers take heed of the new law which bans the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving.
According to retailers in the county, thousands of car owners who wish to talk and drive at the same time are paying for new car kits.
Gardaí are advising drivers that failure to obey the law will result in them being summonsed to court, while penalty points will be issued for the offence from September.
Phone companies in Clare say drivers are willing to pay for the kits.
Mary Purtill of 3G Mobile Phones in Ennis said there has been a significant increase in demand in recent weeks.
“There has been a huge increase in demand for all kinds of handsfree kits, since the new law came into place,” she said.
3G charges €39 for a bluetooth headset, if users have the bluetooth option on their mobiles. It costs €250 to install a hands-free kit, while O2 are currently offering handsfree kits for €99, on a special offer.
RD Mobiles Manager Ronan Daly said the demand for handsfree kits had doubled over the past few weeks.
“Because of the new legislation, people are becoming aware that it is necessary to have a hands-free system in the car, in order to talk and drive,” he said.
RD Mobiles install car kits within 24 hours, at a cost of €250. “However, there are less expensive options, including the plug-and-play option, from Nokia, where the phone is plugged into the cigarette lighter, at a cost of €79,” said Mr Daly.
Bluetooth headsets cost between €59 and €79 at RD Mobiles.
“The demand has doubled over the past couple of months, as people have been preparing for the new legislation. One in five customers are asking about it and one in 10 carry it out,” he added.
Darren Stamp of DPS Communications said the new law means it is not just business people who are purchasing hands-free car kits.
“Even a couple of days after the legislation was brought in, there was a big change. Previously, people who drove a lot for business bought kits; now everyone is buying them,” he said.
His company charges from €240 for hands-free kits, while the ‘plugand-go’ option costs €79.
All of the companies fit the kits at no extra cost.