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Safety
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 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.