For Your Safety
112
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. Make sure you place your wireless phone within easy reach and where
you can reach it without removing your eyes from the road. 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 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. Don’t 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. Do not 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
