How to Dial and Drive Safely

In a meeting, in the bathroom or driving to the mall -- no matter what you're doing -- cell phones keep you in touch 24/7. But while accepting a call in the boardroom or the bathroom may be considered ill-mannered -- using your cell phone while driving can be deadly.

A recent study by Harvard University researchers found that one in every 20 car accidents in the United States is linked to cell phone use while driving. Joshua Cohen of the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis estimates that some 2,600 people die and 330,000 are injured each year in accidents related to cell phone use. A separate study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute estimates that drivers who text are face a 23 percent higher risk of getting in an accident.

Some prime examples of the dangers of using the cell phone while driving include these accidents:

• In March 2009, a Jacksonville, Florida teenager hit a 44-year-old man when she allegedly "glanced" at her cell phone.

• In April 2009, five children lost their lives in Texas after their driver lost control of the car while being distracted by an incoming phone call.

• In September 2008, a train conductor was distracted by his text messages and caused a deadly crash in a Los Angeles suburb.

• In Buffalo, New York, a tow truck driver who was texting rear-ended a car with a mother and child in it. The accident also caused one of the cars he was towing to crash into the side of a house.

Cell phone use while driving is one of constant debate among users and politicians alike, but recent events, including the scandalous photos of Maria Shriver talking while driving, has pushed the topic back into the forefront of the news. Shriver's husband, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, has promised "swift action" regarding his wife breaking a law that he signed into action.

So, how can you change your driving and your calling habits? Can the two coexist safely? Apparently so. Read on for ways to do it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bluetooth earpiece
• Corded earpiece with microphone
• Mountable cell phone holder

1. Connect your phone to a Bluetooth earpiece/microphone device. The benefits with this type of connection is that there are no wires needed. In addition, once you set up the device, you even can take advantage of hands-free, voice dictated automatic dialing.

2. Use the accompanying corded microphone and earphone that came pre-packaged with your cell phone. While not as convenient as a Bluetooth connection, you don't have to worry about purchasing any additional expensive pieces of equipment.

3. Connect your cell phone up to your car's stereo using an audio adapter cord with an in-line microphone. With this set up, you can listen to your caller's voice through your car's speakers. Your cell phone's audio cord will get inserted in the same port that your MP3 player is inserted into.

4. Set up your cell phone to operate on speakerphone if it has the capability. If you install a dash-mountable cell phone holder in a strategic location, you can easily see who is calling without taking your eyes off the road.

5. Set up your phone so that your most important numbers can be dialed through one-touch or vocal-recognition assistance. With your phone sitting in an easy-to-see and reach holder, you can simply press one number or say that number to make an important call.

6. Pull over to the side of the road. This is the only truly effective means of dialing and using the cell phone safely when in the car. Even if you use the methods mentioned above, the truth is that your attention may be diverted during your conversation. Always err on the side of caution, and when possible, pull the car over to the side of the road to make a call.

Tips & Warnings

• Verizon cell phone customers who also have a vehicle equipped with OnStar can set up their system to make and receive hands-free cell phone calls.
• Currently, six states (California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon and Washington) and the District of Columbia have instituted certain hand-held cell phone bans while driving.

Resources

• Cell Phone Laws
• Huffington Post Article
• CBS News Report
• CBS News Report on Texting
• OnStar Hands-Free Support

[deepthinkin]

on 10/27/2009 I'm all for pulling over, or waiting till destination to make a phone call. I've seen TOO many near misses, excessively slow driving, and flat out red lights being run all because a driver was either dialing or too engrossed in their phone call to notice the traffic around them. Thanks for sharing your tips!

[pieceofscrap]

on 10/27/2009 I agree with kp3028. A phone call can wait ... why chance it?

[mrtwiki]

on 10/27/2009 Great article! It is all too often that drivers are seen distracted by their cell phones and not driving very well.
I hope lots of people read this article!
5*!

[SueJ]

on 10/27/2009 Hang up and Drive!!!!!!

[kp3028]

on 10/27/2009 My philosophy is, when in the car driving 'calls can wait'. Most reasons for calling are truly NOT emergencies, they can wait until I reach my destination. Even business calls can wait. Unless you are a doctor and someones 'life' hangs in the balance, it can wait.