It seems that some motorists have developed a liking for Bluetooth.
That’s because since the passing of the amended Road Traffic Act last year and the recent imposition of a $1 000 fine for using a cellphone while driving, drivers have been scrambling to get Bluetooth-equipped stereos installed in their vehicles.
Several auto-electronic professionals told the Saturday Sun they literally had their hands full meeting the demand to have the hands-free equipment installed so as to avoid the possible maximum penalty of $2 000, 18 months’ imprisonment, or both.
Rodney Clarke, chief executive officer of Klarkodio Auto Electronics & Security was just one of the many business owners to report seeing a big increase in the demand for the wireless technology.
“There are some people that said there isn’t any law, so I’m going to wait until the law passed and a lot of them are scrambling now to get something, because they don’t want to pay that fine,” Clarke said yesterday.
“I had Bluetooth in my car for about ten years because I don’t like driving and being on my phone, to be quite honest,” he added.
Clarke revealed that the Bluetooth systems could cost between $400 and $1 800, depending on the features.
The more expensive units could sport features like built-in camera units for reversing, he explained.
This rush for the Bluetooth stereo installation comes after the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act and Regulations 2017-26 was proclaimed on December 11 last year and published in the Official Gazette on December 28.
The new rules outlaw acts such as driving with a cellphone to the ear and having a conversation; conversing on a cellphone speaker while driving; and using an earpiece or headset to have a cellphone conversation while driving.
Within a day of police confirming that they would be cracking down on motorists breaking the law, a man was given a forthwith fine of $1 000, which he paid and avoided immediate imprisonment.
Another auto electronics business, Music n’ Echo, also noted that the company had seen a jump in Bluetooth stereo sales.
“Things have been good, that’s for sure. [The law] does cost a lot of money, so if you can just buy a deck for $300 and it gives you hands-free, that’s the way to go.
“So a lot of people are actually calling and checking around. I know a number of installers and they have been doing work constantly,” a sales representative said.
While noting installers were being inundated with requests from motorists, the sales rep explained that the installations were usually completed within a day.
There was a similar rush at Circuit Electronics as that company reported an increase in people seeking to buy and have the stereos installed.
“Certainly things have picked up in terms of the Bluetooth stereos that we sell. Those have bumped and we also offer installation,” a sales representative said. (AD)
