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!
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.
Safety Guidelines
81