61Road SafetyYour wireless phone gives you the powerful ability tocommunicate by voice, almost anywhere, anytime. Butan important responsibility accompanies the benefits ofwireless phones, one that every user must uphold.When driving a car, driving is your first responsibility.When using your wireless phone behind the wheel of acar, practice good common sense and remember thefollowing tips:1. Get to know your wireless phone and its features,such as speed dial and redial. If available, thesefeatures help you to place your call without takingyour attention off the road.2. When available, use a hands-free device. If possible,add an additional layer of convenience and safety toyour wireless phone with one of the many handsfree accessories available today.3. Position your wireless phone within easy reach. Beable to access your wireless phone withoutremoving your eyes from the road. If you get anincoming call at an inconvenient time, let your voicemail answer it for you.4. Let the person you are speaking with know you aredriving; if necessary, suspend the call in heavytraffic or hazardous weather conditions. Rain, sleet,snow, ice and even heavy traffic can be hazardous.5. Do not take notes or look up phone numbers whiledriving. Jotting down a “to do” list or flippingthrough your address book takes attention awayfrom your primary responsibility, driving safely.6. Dial sensibly and assess the traffic; if possible, placecalls when you are not moving or before pulling intotraffic. Try to plan calls when your car will bestationary. If you need to make a call while moving,dial only a few numbers, check the road and yourmirrors, then continue.7. Do not engage in stressful or emotionalconversations that may be distracting. Make peopleyou are talking with aware you are driving andsuspend conversations that have the potential todivert your attention from the road.