Your wireless phone gives you the freedom and flexibility to stay in touch when you travel. However, the safe and responsible use of the phone depends entirely on you. Avoid accidents by not reaching for the phone or talking on the phone if that distracts you from driving safely. Your life and the lives of others are at stake.
Ensure your safety and the safety of others:
- Always buckle up.
- Keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
- Don’t let a phone call distract you from driving safely.
Carefully consider whether you should use your wireless phone while driving.
Factors to consider include driving skill and experience, familiarity with the vehicle, and traffic and weather conditions. Consider your alternatives:
- Allow voice mail to handle your calls and return them at your convenience.
- Pull off the roadway if safe and legal to do so.
- Ask a passenger to make or take the call.
If you do use your wireless phone while driving, use good judgment.
- Tell the caller that you are driving and may have to suspend the conversation.
- Position your phone within easy reach.
- Use a hands-free device.
- Use memory dial and automatic redial features.
- Memorize your keypad.
- Dial numbers while you are not moving.
- Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations while driving.
- Never take notes or look up numbers while driving.
- Do not use data functions such as text messaging or web browsing while driving.
- Please respect all applicable laws concerning the use of wireless phones. Some states or municipalities may not allow the use of earbuds or headsets and some may require hands-free use.
A message for parents: Review the options for responsible use with your new driver and establish guidelines for phone use in the car.
Emergency 911
If an emergency occurs, dial 911. Where 911 is not available, you will need to identify the appropriate local emergency service number to call for assistance.
Important: If you are in an area where your phone is searching or scanning for a signal or there is no signal, it is highly probable that a call to 911 will not go through. If your wireless 911 call is not going through, locate the nearest landline phone and call for help. Also, TTYs (text telephone devices) are currently not compatible with Digital wireless phones and should not be used for 911 calls.
Wireless 911 calls do not automatically provide emergency personnel with your name, phone number or location.
Tell the dispatcher:
- Your name and wireless phone number, including area code.
- The nature of the emergency.
- Whether police, fire or medical assistance is needed.
- The exact location of the emergency, including cross streets, mileposts or landmarks.
Remember: Lock your keypad to prevent unintended calls to 911.
