WASH. STATE – New distracted driving law takes effect on July 23rd, holding your cell phone while you’re behind the wheel can earn you a $136 ticket.
Second-time offenders will receive a $235 ticket and a distracted driving citation that could affect insurance rates.
It doesn’t matter if you’re at a stop light, stopped for an open bridge, or waiting for a long train to pass. The new law only allows the minimal use of a finger to take a call or issue a smart phone command when you’re on the road.
Even with a blue tooth set up in your vehicle, a magnetic phone holder can help.
There are dozens of brands and styles of magnetic phone mounts to choose from and I found prices all over the place. I also found you don’t have to break the bank.
A key factor with any cell phone mount is quality. Some magnetic car mounts are very well made. Others are cheaply made and flimsy. You want a mount that will hold your phone securely in all road conditions without breaking, cracking, coming loose or allowing your phone to drop. This is where the Clutchit stands out!
Another key factor is ease of access. You want a holder location that keeps your phone within your finger’s reach, but also allows you to keep your eyes on the road. The Clutchit allows you to place your magnetic car mount anywhere there is a surface base.
For larger, heavier cell phones, especially models with thick, heavy cases, the Clutchit is the only mount on the market that can safely hold a tablet as well as a phone.
Isaac Clark, a sales associate at Best Buy, cites phone mounts from Clutchit as strong sellers: This phone mount doesn’t obstruct your view or air flow like windshield or air vent magnetic mounts
The Clutchit has more flexibility than any other dash mounts. They’re designed for pivoting angles and moving your phone closer with it’s patented design.
Another important detail – pay attention to whether the sticky pad for the suction base is removable or permanent. Some are permanent, which means even when you remove the holder, the sticky pad stays put, this isn’t the case with the Clutchit. People who use dash mounts feel they’re the most stable way to hold smart phones. However, the dash design and material must work with the type of mount you choose. Also, depending on how they’re attached, some magnetic phone mounts can be cumbersome to remove when you get out of the vehicle- which isnt what police recommend.
Remember, even without your phone, an empty car mount can be a signal to thieves that there’s something else in your car worth stealing.
Ease of attaching and removal might explain the growing preference for magnetic cell phone mounts. This is what makes the Clutchit unique as the world’s first anywhere magnetic mount.
There are a number of quality magnetic dash mounts on the market. Most involve attaching a small but permanent metal pad to your dash. Another metal pad goes inside your phone case or has an adhesive backing that attaches to the back of your case. Strong magnets hold the mounts in place on the dash while also holding our phone security in place.
As with other magnetic mounts, you slip a metal plate or magnet inside your phone case or, if your phone case is too thick, attach the plate to the back of your case. The strong magnet keeps your phone attached without obstructing your air vent. When you leave the car, simply grab the phone and mount and go.
Ultimately, which style of phone mount works best for you depends on the design of your car, your personal preference and the size and weight of your device. Stability, access and visibility are key.
I found a lot of good variations for each style and placement option. Just avoid holders made with flimsy, wobbly materials that won’t hold up to shaking and pot hole jolts.
By the way, for extremely bumpy driving conditions like on a motorcycle, the Clutchit seems to be a stand-out favorite
The point is, for most drivers, an investment of $20 – $30 gives you a tool that can help keep that phone out of your hands- so you’re not caught texting, talking, checking or finding directions, when there’s a higher risk that extra eyes will be watching- with a $136 traffic ticket in hand.
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