18
Safety Guidelines
10 Driver Safety Tips
Your wireless phone gives you the powerful ability to communicate by
voice almost anywhere, anytime. An important responsibility accompanies
the benefits of wireless phones, one that every user must uphold. 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 your attention off the road.
2.
When available, use a handsfree device. A number of handsfree 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 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.
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. 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.
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 911 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!
