138important responsibility accompanies the benefits of wirelessphones, one that every user must uphold.When driving a car, driving is your first responsibility. When usingyour wireless phone behind the wheel of a car, practice goodcommon sense and remember the following tips:1. Get to know your wireless phone and its features, such asspeed dial and redial. If available, these features help youto place your call without taking your attention off the road.2. When available, use a hands-free device. If possible, addan additional layer of convenience and safety to yourwireless phone with one of the many hands freeaccessories available today.3. Position your wireless phone within easy reach. Be able toaccess your wireless phone without removing your eyesfrom the road. If you get an incoming call at aninconvenient time, let your voice mail answer it for you.4. Let the person you are speaking with know you are driving;if necessary, suspend the call in heavy traffic or hazardousweather conditions. Rain, sleet, snow, ice and even heavytraffic can be hazardous.5. Do not take notes or look up phone numbers while driving.Jotting down a "to do" list or flipping through your addressbook takes attention away from your primaryresponsibility, driving safely.6. Dial sensibly and assess the traffic; if possible, place callswhen you are not moving or before pulling into traffic. Tryto plan calls when your car will be stationary. If you need tomake a call while moving, dial only a few numbers, checkthe road and your mirrors, then continue.7. Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations thatmay be distracting. Make people you are talking withaware you are driving and suspend conversations thathave the potential to divert your attention from the road.8. Use your wireless phone to call for help. Dial 9-1-1 or otherlocal emergency number in the case of fire, traffic accidentor medical emergencies.
