When
operating a car, driving is your first responsibility. When using your
wireless phone behind the wheel of a car, practice good common sense and
remember the following tips:
1. Get
to know your wireless 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. Also, work to memorize the phone keypad so you can
use the speed dial function without taking attention off the road.
2. When
available, use a hands-free device. A number of hands-free wireless
phone accessories are readily available today. Whether you choose an
installed mounted device for your wireless phone or a speaker phone
accessory, take advantage of these devices if available to you.
3. Position
your wireless phone within easy reach. If you get an incoming call at
an inconvenient time, if possible, let your voicemail answer it for you.
4. Suspend
conversations during hazardous driving conditions. Let the person you
are speaking with know you are driving; if necessary, suspend the call
in heavy traffic. Rain, sleet, can be hazardous, but so is heavy
traffic. As a driver, your first responsibility is to pay attention to
the road.
5. Do
not take notes or look up phone numbers while driving. If you are
reading an address book or business card, or writing a “to-do” list
while driving a car, you are not watching where you are going. It is
common sense.
6. Dial
sensibly and assess the traffic; if possible, place calls when you are
not moving or before pulling into traffic. Try to plan your call before
you begin your trip or attempt to coincide your calls with times you may
be stopped at a stop sign or red light. But if you need to dial while
driving, follow this simple tip-dial a few numbers, check the road and
your mirrors, then continue.
7. Do
not engage in stressful or emotional conversations that may be
distracting. Make people you are talking with aware you are driving and
if necessary, suspend conversations which have the potential to divert
your attention from the road.
8. Use
your wireless 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 999 or other local emergency numbers in the case of
fire, traffic accident, road hazard or medical emergency. Remember, it
is a free call on your wireless phone!
9. Use
your wireless 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 999 or other local
emergency numbers, as you would want others to do for you.