| As most people would agree, operating a motor | | | | telephone or to hold conversations with family |
| vehicle requires attention to avoid a catastrophe | | | | members and friends who are always on the go, |
| such as a crash. Obviously, there are numerous | | | | the answers may seem discouraging at first |
| things that can distract a driver and create a | | | | glance but when considered in light of the possible |
| potentially disastrous lapse in attention: retrieving | | | | risk of life are rather minimal. |
| an item that is dropped, holding a conversation | | | | 1. Turn off your cell phone while driving. This will |
| with a passenger, or simply daydreaming while | | | | eliminate any ringing which can be distracting and |
| behind the wheel. Studies in the past 10 to 15 | | | | will still allow callers to leave messages on voice |
| years however have consistently indicated that | | | | mail for you to listen and respond to later. |
| use of cell phones while driving is particularly risky. | | | | 2. If you don't feel you can turn your cell phone |
| Undoubtedly, with well over 200 million cell phone | | | | off during the time you are driving, there are |
| users in the US alone risks are amplified based on | | | | common suggestions which can help reduce the |
| frequency of use if nothing else. | | | | risk of cell phone use when driving: |
| Although initial studies probed issues related to the | | | | Pull off the road to place and receive calls. |
| use of hand held devices which forced drivers to | | | | Place your phone where it is convenient so that |
| take their eyes off of the road while dialing, or | | | | you don't have to search or reach across the car |
| use their hands to support the phone while talking, | | | | to retrieve it to answer calls. |
| studies in more recent years have focused on | | | | Take only urgent calls. Calls of a routine nature |
| examining the effects of distraction caused simply | | | | should be ended by agreeing to call someone back |
| by talking on cell phones; even in the case of | | | | at a better time. |
| hands-free devices. The results of most of these | | | | As with any conversation while driving, avoid |
| studies concluded that although hands-free phones | | | | emotionally charged or lengthy discussions. These |
| reduced the visual and mechanical distraction, the | | | | distract drivers more than brief, factual types of |
| "cognitive" distraction of simply being involved in | | | | conversations. |
| the cell phone conversation was still present and | | | | Keep your eyes on the road; use speed dial or |
| was more critical in impairing driver performance. | | | | use your cell phone only for the purpose of |
| Thus, switching to a hands-free device does not | | | | receiving calls while you are driving. |
| appear to reduce the risk of accident. | | | | Avoid taking notes, looking up numbers, checking |
| The benefits of having a cell phone available when | | | | messages, etc. which add to the distraction. |
| driving is not in question. Cell phones have proven | | | | Let a passenger handle any calls |
| their utility in countless situations where | | | | Cell phones continue to play an important role in |
| emergencies have arisen. Safety issues instead | | | | our society and, in a number of instances, can do |
| center on how these devices can be safely and | | | | much to protect lives. However, like any |
| responsibly used by drivers. It is not the intent of | | | | significant distraction when driving, they can |
| this brief article to review the multitude of studies | | | | create potentially life-threatening situations. Drivers |
| conducted but instead, to simply offer a few | | | | should carefully evaluate the risks to themselves |
| suggestions on how to reduce driving risks related | | | | and others when choosing to engage in any |
| to cell phone use. Obviously, merely switching to a | | | | activity that takes away from the focus of |
| hands-free device is not the all encompassing | | | | operating a car. Responsible use of a cell phone |
| answer. For those cell phone user's who rely on | | | | when driving can possibly be the difference |
| their driving time to conduct business by | | | | between life and death. |