There are numerous benefits to cellular phone use. Two-thirds of new cellular phone owners listed their main reason for purchasing a cellular phone as a security measure. Nearly half of all cellular phone owners have used their car phones to report car trouble, medical emergencies, crimes and drunk or reckless drivers.

Dialing 911 is a free call for cellular subscribers. Police and EMS officials say that in many cases response times have been cut, criminals have been apprehended and lives have been saved due to calls from cellular phone users.

But is it possible to drive safely while talking on the phone?

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SOME TIPS FOR SAFE CELLULAR PHONE USE

• Make safe driving your first priority:
  • Buckle up
  • Keep your hands on the wheel
  • Keep your eyes on the road
• Position your phone where it is easy to see and reach
• Familiarize yourself with the phones' operation while the car is parked
• Use a hands-free microphone while driving
• Use the speed dial feature for frequently called numbers
• Pull over and dial manually
• Never take notes while driving. Pull off the road if you must read or write.
• Use voice mail to pick up your calls if it is inconvenient or unsafe to answer the car phone.

(These tips for safe cellular phone use were provided by the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association)

USE COMMON SENSE

Any task a driver performs while driving is a potential distraction. It is best to use your cellular phone when you are stopped, but if you must use your phone while driving it is important to check traffic conditions before placing a phone call or performing any task, and if necessary, wait until conditions improve to make your call. Learn how your cellular phone operates while parked. If possible, dial while the car is not in motion. Program frequently used numbers into your phone. If a number is not programmed into memory, dial in short segments, check the traffic, and dial another segment. Never allow your conversation to distract you from driving. Keep calls brief. Keep your eyes on the road, and frequently check the side and rear view mirrors.

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New York State's New Cellular Phone Law - On-line brochure

An Investigation of the Safety Implications of Wireless Communications in Vehicles
Report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - 1998

The Effect of Cellular Phone Use Upon Driver Attention
Report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety - 1991

Association Between Cellular-Telephone Calls and Motor Vehicle Collisions
Study published in the New England Journal of Medicine - 1997

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