■ Wireless Phone "Safety Tips"
Below are safety tips to follow while driving and using a wireless phone which
should be easy to remember.
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 your 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. Make sure you place your
wireless 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, if
possible, let your voice mail answer it for you.
4. Suspend conversations during hazardous driving conditions or situations. Let
the person you are speaking with 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.
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’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 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.
7. 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 of a car. 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.
M e s s a g e f r o m t h e C T I A
11
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 9-1-1 or
other local emergency number 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 9-1-1 or other local emergency number, as you would
want others to do for you.
10. Call roadside assistance or a special wireless nonemergency assistance number
when necessary. Certain situations you encounter while driving may require
attention, but are not urgent enough to merit a call for emergency services. But
you still can 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.
Careless, distracted individuals and people driving irresponsibly represent a hazard
to everyone on the road. Since 1984, the Cellular Telecommunications Industry
Association and the wireless industry have conducted educational outreach to
inform wireless phone users of their responsibilities as safe drivers and good
citizens. As we approach a new century, more and more of us will take advantage
of the benefits of wireless telephones. And, as we take to the roads, we all have a
responsibility to drive safely.The wireless industry reminds you to use your phone
safely when driving. For more information, please call 1-888-901-SAFE.
For updates:
http://www.wow-com.com/consumer/issues/driving/articles.cfm?ID=85
M e s s a g e f r o m t h e F D A
12