Cell Phones on the Road

Tips for Safer Cell Phone Use while Driving

A cell phone can be a valuable safety tool for calling road service, reporting accidents and in other emergency situations. However, a cell phone can also put you in danger if your phone conversation becomes more important than watching the road in front of you.

Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia are the only states that have jurisdiction-wide bans on driving while talking on a cell phone. Although many states keep trying to ban cell phone use on the road completely, only a few have successfully banned cell phone use among school bus drivers, learner's permit holders, and drivers younger than 18.

The safest way to use a cell phone is with your vehicle stopped. If you must make a call from your vehicle, wait until you're stopped at a traffic light to dial, or better still, pull safely off the road, stop, and then dial. Look for an easy exit to a safe location such as a rest stop, shopping center, curb parking or other area away from hazardous traffic. Don't forget to check you're your doors are locked. Stopping on the shoulder of the road can put you in danger.

If you must make a call from your vehicle, follow these recommendations to maximize your safety:

• Keep calls in the car short.
• Be sure your cell phone is easy to see and located within reach.
• Know your phone's buttons so you can keep your eyes on the road while dialing.
• Program frequently dialed numbers in a one or two button memory.
• If you are ready to purchase a new cell phone, look for voice-activated dialing so making calls are easier.
• If you have to dial while driving, hold the phone at eye level so you can watch the road too, dial the first three numbers, check the road, then dial the rest.
• While on the phone, check mirrors frequently and avoid note-taking or looking for other reference material.
• Avoid making calls when your full attention should be on the road such as traveling in heavy traffic, in poor visibility (fog, rain, snow, darkness), and if road conditions require excessive maneuvering (sharp turns, narrow roads).
• Avoid calls that require a high level of mental concentration or if you expect highly emotional exchanges.
• If you do a lot of phoning in your car, invest in a hands-free speaker phone.
• Program the local emergency numbers (police, fire, cellular service) for the areas that you frequently drive through. Not all cellular areas use 911.

It's a best practice to only use your cell phone for emergencies or to let people know your location or expected arrival times when you're on the road. Drive safe!

How All Covered Can Help

All Covered provides technology consulting and services for small businesses nationwide.

• Call us: For a personal consultation, call our friendly sales team at 866-446-1133
• Email us: Use our contact form and we'll contact you within one business day.
• Free Newsletters: Use our Free IT Newsletters about IT issues facing small business
• Our services: All Covered Care
  Premium Coverage for Complete Network Management and Computer Support
• Learn more: Mobility
  Enhance productivity by implementing mobile solutions so you can work anywhere, any time.