Cell Phone Safety while Driving

In cities and towns around the world, cell phone safety has become a major concern. While a cell phone can literally be a lifesaver, helping to put a person in touch with the police, an emergency squad, or a fire department, it is a device which must be used with care. After all, you don’t want to be in a position in which you create a safety hazard because of the manner in which you use your cell phone.

When you bought your cell phone, chances are you received an instruction manual, giving you step-by-step instructions on how to use your phone. However, it is unlikely that the booklet included appropriate safety information. As a result, here are some reminders for how to use your cell phone in the safest way possible—not only for your sake, but for the sake of the other people on the road.

Avoid making unnecessary calls when driving. When you’re on the highway, your top priority should be safely getting your car to its destination—not talking on your cell phone.

Whenever possible, use a headset when making calls in your car. By using your headset, you will be able to keep both hands on the steering wheel, reducing your risk of getting involved in an accident.

Do not stop looking at the road—even for a second! You need to learn the location of all of the controls on your phone, so that you can place a call without even looking down at your phone. You will greatly reduce your risk of losing control of your vehicle if you keep your eyes focused on the road ahead at all times.

Rehearse using your phone before you ever get into your car. If you’ve gone through enough rehearsals, using your cell phone should become second-nature, making roadside calls much easier.

Guard against lane-drifting. When you’re on a cell phone, there’s a danger that you could become so wrapped up in conversation that you don’t realize that your car is drifting into the next lane. Therefore, it’s best if you remain in the right-hand lane while placing cell phone calls so that you only have to be concerned with the cars that are to your left.

Program your phone. Important phone numbers should be programmed into your phone, allowing you to speed dial when necessary. In this way, you’ll be able to save valuable time and effort.

Allow your voice mail to pick up calls when you’re driving. When you get into a position where you can stop your vehicle, you can simply pull off the road and retrieve your voice mail messages.

Keep car phone conversations brief. There’s really no need for extended conversations when you’re on the road. Live by this mantra: The shorter your cell phone conversation, the better.

Stay in defensive driving mode at all times. Remember, just because you follow cell phone safety rules, that does not mean that other drivers do. Be aware of the fact that the eyes of other motorists may be veering off the road as they try to place cell phone calls.

There’s no doubt that a cell phone is a wonderful tool—especially in an emergency situation. It can keep you out of harm’s way, helping to protect your safety and the safety of those around you. By using your cell phone properly—particularly when you’re on the road—you can ensure that a hastily-made phone call does not lead to an accident.