Wireless phones can help you be productive in the time away from the office, but one thing they don’t do is make you a better driver.
Studies show that people using cell phones are much more likely to be involved in accidents than those who aren’t using them. While you’re dialing or trying to close the big deal, your attention isn’t fully focused on the road. With the recent introduction of phones that can show faxes, e-mails and Web sites on their display screens, there are even more distractions.
With that in mind, the Cellular Telephone Industry Association recommends the following safe-driving tips:
1. 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, memorize the phone keypad so you can use the speed dial function without taking your attention off the road.
2. When available, use a hands-free device. A number of hands-free wireless phone accessories are readily available. Whether you choose an installed mounted device for your phone or a speaker phone accessory, take advantage of these devices if available to you.
3. Position your phone within easy reach. Make sure you place your wireless phone 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.
4. Suspend conversations during hazardous driving conditions or situations. Let the person you are speaking to know you are driving. Suspend the call in heavy traffic or hazardous weather conditions. Rain, sleet, snow and ice can be hazardous, but so is heavy traffic. 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, 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.
6. Dial sensibly and assess traffic. Place calls when you are not moving or before pulling into traffic. Try to plan your calls before you begin your trip, or coincide your calls with times you may be stopped at a stop sign, red light or are otherwise stationary. If you need to dial while driving, dial a few numbers, check the road and your mirrors, then continue.
7. Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations. Stressful or emotional conversations and driving do not mix. They are distracting and even dangerous when you are behind the wheel. If necessary, suspend conversations that have the potential to divert your attention from the road.
8. 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. Help is only three numbers away. Dial 911 in case of fire, traffic accident, road hazard or medical emergencies. It is a free call on your wireless phone.
9. Use your phone to help others in emergencies. Your wireless phone provides you a perfect opportunity to be a Good Samaritan. If you see an auto accident, crime in progress or other serious emergency where lives are in danger, call 911.
10. Call roadside assistance or a special wireless nonemergency assistance number when necessary. Certain situations may require attention, but are not urgent enough to merit a 911 call. 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.
Todd Shryock ([email protected]) is SBN’s special reports editor.
