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Cell Phones and Driving Safety Tips |
Get to know your phone
Get to know your phone and its features such as speed dial
and redial. Carefully read your instruction manual and learn
to take advantage of valuable features most phones offer including,
automatic redial and memory dial-most phones can store up to
99 numbers in memory dial. Also, work to memorize the phone
keypad so you can use the speed dial function without taking
your attention off the road. Using a cell while driving can
be dangerous if you are not carefully.
Use hands free devices
When available, use a hands free cell phone device. A number
of hands free cell phone accessories are readily available today.
Whether you choose an installed mounted hands free cell phone
device for your phone or a speaker phone accessory, take advantage
of these devices if available to you. (Note, studies have shown
that the distraction of a driver's attention from the road contributes
to accidents involving cellular phones and that hands free cell
phone devices do not reduce the incidence of accidents). So
unless it is an emergency, it is probably always better not
to mix cell phone and driving.
Position your phone within easy reach
Position your cell phone within easy reach. Make sure you place
your cell phone within easy reach and where you can grab it
without removing your eyes from the road. If you get an incoming
call at an inconvenient time, let your voice mail answer it
for you.
Suspend conversation during hazardous conditions
Suspend conversations during hazardous driving conditions or
situations. Let the person you are speaking to know you are
driving; if necessary, suspend the call in heavy traffic or
hazardous weather conditions. Rain, sleet, snow and ice can
be hazardous, but so is heavy traffic. As a driver, your first
responsibility is to pay attention to the road.
Pay attention to the road
Do not take notes or look up phone numbers while driving. If
you are reading an address book or business card while driving
a car, or writing a "to do" list, then you are not
watching where you are going. It's common sense. Don't get caught
in a dangerous situation because you are reading or writing
and not paying attention to the road or nearby vehicles.
Dial sensibly and assess the traffic
Dial sensibly and assess the traffic; if possible, place calls
when you are not moving or before pulling into traffic. Try
to plan your calls before you begin your trip, or attempt to
coincide your calls with times you may be stopped at a stop
sign, red light or otherwise stationary. But if you need to
dial while driving, follow this simple tip-dial only a few numbers,
check the road and your mirrors, then continue.
Do not engage in distracting conversations
Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations that
may be distracting. Stressful or emotional conversations and
driving do not mix-they are distracting and even dangerous when
you are behind the wheel. Make people you are talking with aware
you are driving and if necessary, suspend phone conversations
which have the potential to divert your attention from the road.
Use your phone to call for help
Use your phone to call for help. Your wireless phone is one
of the greatest tools you can own to protect yourself and your
family in dangerous situations-with your phone at your side,
help is only three numbers away. Dial 9-1-1 in the case of fire,
traffic accident, road hazard, or medical emergencies. Remember,
it is a free call on your wireless phone!
Use your cell phone to help others
Use your phone to help others in emergencies. Your wireless
phone provides you a perfect opportunity to be a "good
Samaritan" in your community. If you see an auto accident,
crime in progress or other serious emergency where lives are
in danger, call 9-1-1, as you would want others to do for you.
Call roadside assistance when necessary
Call roadside assistance or a special wireless non-emergency
assistance number when necessary. Certain situations you encounter
while driving may require attention, but are not urgent enough
to merit a call to 9-1-1. But you can still use your wireless
phone to lend a hand. If you see a broken-down vehicle posing
no serious hazard, a broken traffic signal, a minor traffic
accident where no one appears injured, or a vehicle you know
to be stolen, call roadside assistance or other special non-emergency
wireless number.
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