Free Motorola app details hands-free driving laws

Motorola kicks off National Safe Driving Month by launching the Smart Handsfree mobile app for Android that helps users to navigate the often confusing local hands-free driving laws.

Upon downloading and launching Smart Handsfree, the app will use the Android handset's location service to discern what state the user is in and display an overview of whether there exists a handheld or texting ban or if there are any special conditions for novice drivers. Having this sort of information at your fingertips is fairly useful. For example, while we knew that the state of California has bans on using a handset for calling or texting while driving, we also learned that drivers under the age of 18 are banned from calls or texts of any sort, even with a hands-free device.

Users can also search hands-free laws in other states--data for all 50 states and the District of Columbia are available from within the app. We did a search for the state of Georgia and found no hands-free legislation listed--although a handset-and-texting ban currently awaiting the governor's signature would take effect on July 1, 2010, but we digress. Obviously, this app won't get you out of a ticket, so double-check your local laws before using any device (hands-free or otherwise) while behind the wheel.

The release of the Smart Handsfree app coincides with Motorola's Get Smarter campaign for responsible driving awareness. Throughout the month of June, Motorola will be making stops in cities with hands-free laws--including New York, Chicago, Minneapolis, and San Francisco--offering consumers rides in its "Get Smarter" cars and giving them opportunities to win Motorola products. Tour details and the location of the "Get Smarter" cars can be found by following Motorola on Twitter and Facebook.

Android users can grab the Smart Handsfree app today from the Android Market.