Using Cell Phones Safely While On The Road
Cell phones can be valuable tools, contributing to road safety in the event of an emergency or to report an unsafe situation. Unfortunately, a cell phone can also contribute to an unsafe situation if drivers pay more attention to it than watching the conditions on the road ahead.
New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and D.C. are the first states to implement total bans on talking on a cell phone while driving. Many other states have been trying to ban cell phone use while on the road, but just a few have implemented it, particularly among drivers with learning permits, school bus operators, and drivers under the age of eighteen.
If you really need to make a call from your car, it’s best to pull over and stop your vehicle. You should look for an exit to a secure location like a shopping center, rest stop, curb or other place out of the way of traffic. Stopping on the shoulder of the road can be hazardous. If a complete stop is not possible, consider waiting until you’re waiting at a traffic light to dial out.
In the case that you really need to talk while moving in your vehicle, maximize your safety with the following recommendations:
- Be sure your phone is in plain sight and stored within reach
- Program frequently-used numbers into one or two button memory
- Know the buttons on your phone so you can keep your eyes on the road while calling
- Dial while holding the phone at eye level - dial the first three numbers, check the road, then dial the rest
- Avoid calls during situations of traffic, bad visibility, darkness, or that require precise maneuvering
- Don’t initiate calls that you expect will require intense concentration or high levels of emotion
- Keep your calls brief
- Check your mirrors frequently and avoid taking notes or searching for other reference material
If you’re preparing to purchase a new cell phone, look at automatic voice dialing options to make calling easier. If you make a lot of calls from your vehicle, you may want to consider a hands-free speaker phone. While driving, it’s best to use your cell phone for emergencies only, or to deliver simple messages such as estimated arrival time. Drive safe out there!
Nick Pegley is a marketing expert with All Covered: Technology Services Partner for Small Business, providing information technology consulting and IT services in 20 major U.S. metro areas. Outsource your procurement, installation and technical headaches.
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