Staples is reminding Alabama consumers that state law requires them to use a hands-free device to talk on the phone while driving; which would be nice except Alabama is one of 45 states that has no such law.

Jim writes:

Greetings, Consumerist braintrust. Attached is a picture I think you’ll find interesting. I took it yesterday at my local Staples store. As you can see, it states that as of July 1, 2008, it is the law that you must use a hands-free calling device while operating a vehicle. And that’s certainly true. At least, it’s true in California. But I live in Birmingham, Alabama, which is a couple thousand miles away from California, and which has no such laws. There was no disclaimer on the display, just a “DO IT NOW!” admonition to comply with a law that doesn’t apply to you.

Five states restrict their residents from yabbering while driving: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington, and as of July 1, California.

Call us old fashioned, but we think public safety laws should be written by legislators, not marketers.

Cell Phone Driving Laws [Governors Highway Safety Association]

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