By Kevin DaviesThe use of a hand-held cell phone while driving is not only unsafe, it is now illegal on Bermuda’s roads since legislation was passed in late 2011. Obviously, the safest way to use a cell phone while driving is to find a safe location at the side of the road to talk or text. However, when this is not possible or practical, the use of a Bluetooth hands-free device is a safe, alternative way to use a cellular phone in a vehicle.The three basic Bluetooth solutions that are ideal for use while driving, include Bluetooth enabled stereo systems, portable Bluetooth hands-free car kits and Bluetooth headsets. Selection of the product that is most suitable for you depends on your driving habits, how much time you spend in the vehicle and the amount of your budget.Those who spend a lot of time commuting on a daily basis may opt for the installed car stereo option or the in-car speakerphone alternative. Individuals that don’t spend a lot of time in the car or ride a bike may decide to use a Bluetooth headset.There are a number of car audio manufacturers that make a Bluetooth enabled car stereo head unit that enables you to take calls through the speakers of the car’s stereo system. This is by far the most expensive alternative and not only involves the cost of purchasing and installing the system, but possibly replacing a perfectly functioning car stereo unit. Once paired, these units typically connect automatically once the cellphone is within range of the stereo system. The quality of audio experienced in car stereo Bluetooth systems is excellent and this is the most convenient system to use. The local cost of this Bluetooth solution is around $500.The Bluetooth hands-free car kit has become popular recently and there are many models available from companies such as Jabra, Motorola, BlueAnt and Blackberry. These units generally clip to the sun visor or are built into replacement rear view mirrors and have a built in speakerphone. These devices can have talk times as high as 45 hours or standby times up to six months. They are very convenient to use and once paired with the cellphone, automatically connect when you come within range of the hands-free speakerphone. Bluetooth systems that support pairing with multiple cell phones are ideal when different drivers are using a vehicle. Some in-car speakerphones support the streaming of stereo music from a cell phone to the hands-free device and are great for those who like to take their music on the go. Bluetooth in-car speakerphones are available locally from just under $100.The Bluetooth handset is by far the most economical hands-free device and allows complete portability. These handsets have a rechargeable battery that can support up to 13 hours of talk time or 430 hours of standby time. The technology used in these handsets has also evolved to the point where headset features can include music streaming from a cell phone or multipoint technology that allows them to be used with devices such as a PlayStation 3 in addition to a cell phone. More expensive headsets also feature noise suppression technology that virtually eliminates background noise caused by wind or traffic. Bluetooth headsets are typically available locally for as little as $29.As you can see there are a wide variety of Bluetooth solutions available for drivers to use while driving a car and the best feature is that most of them will end up costing you a lot less than the cost of a traffic ticket for using a cellphone while driving.Kevin Davies is the owner of Audio Visual Electronics