In every situation, if you do not feel that a
call can be placed, answered, or continued safely,
then don't make it, don't answer it, or just hang
up. We want to keep our customers and future customers
healthy, and we want to ensure that responsible cell
phone usage remains legal, safe, and convenient.
Dial sensibly and keep your eyes on the road:
use speed dial and redial, place calls before pulling
into traffic if possible.
If possible, place calls when you are not moving
or before pulling into traffic, or consider waiting
until your trip is completed to place calls.
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. Carefully
read your instruction manual and learn to take advantage
of valuable features most phones offer, including
automatic redial one-touch dialing and memory. Also,
work to memorize the phone keypad so you can use the
speed dial function without taking your attention
off the road.
Position your phone within easy reach and use
a hands free device when available. 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. A number of hands free wireless phone accessories
are available today. Whether you choose an installed
mounted device for your wireless phone or a speaker
phone accessory, take advantage of these devices available
to you. Driving with a friend? Let your passenger
place and answer calls for you!
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.
Remember that driving can be dangerous if you aren't
paying attention to the road.
Suspend conversations during hazardous driving
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.
Don't 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.
