Driven to Distraction

One of the best ways to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel is to invest in a hands-free cellphone for the car, an option that many states may soon require. But there are a few ways to go about it. Here's what you need to know:

Many luxury car companies offer built-in hands-free cellphones that use the stereo's speakers to provide excellent sound quality.


You can get a cellphone like Nokia's Cark-91 for about $175 plus installation, and have it retrofitted into any car. This integrated set-up enlists the car's antenna to boost reception.


A more portable option is a speaker/microphone cradle for your existing cellphone that plugs into the car's cigarette lighter. One model from Sharper Image lists for $129.


Some newer cellphones with voice activation and speakerphone capabilities can be used in and out of the car. Some models simply clip to your car's sun visor for easy use. One good example is Motorola's Timeport 270c, which lists for $349.