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'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.
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's 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 911 or other local
emergency number, as you would want others to do for you.
10. Call roadside assistance or a special wireless non-
emergency 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 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, call roadside assistance or other special non-
emergency wireless number.
For more information, please call to 888-901-SAFE, or visit our
website www.ctia.org.
69
VX3400