Cellular Telephone Tips

Safe driving is your priority. Always buckle up, keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.
Make sure your phone is positioned where it is easy to see and easy to reach. Become more knowledgeable about the operation of your phone, and practice using your phone when your vehicle is stationary, so you feel more comfortable operating it on the road.
Use a hands-free microphone while driving. This will allow you to keep your hands on the wheel while using your phone. Make sure that your cellular dealer installs the microphone to maximize sound quality.
Don't use an uninstalled portable phone while driving. If you will be using a portable phone in your vehicle, have a hands-free kit installed and use it. Your portable should be in a secure position in case you make a sudden stop.
Use the speed dialing feature on your phone to program frequently called numbers. Most phones will store up to 99 numbers, and you can recall them by touching only two or three buttons. Among the numbers programmed should be 911, and the non-emergency numbers for the police, fire, and ambulance.
Dial only when stopped. Wait for a traffic light, or a stop sign, or safely pull off the road. If you must dial a full number while driving, dial the first few digits, then survey traffic before dialing the remaining digits.
Don't take notes while driving. Carefully pull off the road.
Let your cellular network's voice mail service pick up your calls when you are unable to answer your phone. It's easy to retrieve your messages later on. You can even use your voice mail as a notepad by leaving yourself reminders.

Cellular Telephone Tips

The following tips have been developed by the American Automobile Association and the Cellular Telephone Industry Association for the safe use of a cellular telephone:

Safe driving is your priority. Always buckle up, keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road.

Make sure your phone is positioned where it is easy to see and easy to reach. Become more knowledgeable about the operation of your phone, and practice using your phone when your vehicle is stationary, so you feel more comfortable operating it on the road.

Use a hands-free microphone while driving. This will allow you to keep your hands on the wheel while using your phone. Make sure that your cellular dealer installs the microphone to maximize sound quality.

Don't use an uninstalled portable phone while driving. If you will be using a portable phone in your vehicle, have a hands-free kit installed and use it. Your portable should be in a secure position in case you make a sudden stop.

Use the speed dialing feature on your phone to program frequently called numbers. Most phones will store up to 99 numbers, and you can recall them by touching only two or three buttons. Among the numbers programmed should be 911, and the non-emergency numbers for the police, fire, and ambulance.

Dial only when stopped. Wait for a traffic light, or a stop sign, or safely pull off the road. If you must dial a full number while driving, dial the first few digits, then survey traffic before dialing the remaining digits.

Don't take notes while driving. Carefully pull off the road.

Let your cellular network's voice mail service pick up your calls when you are unable to answer your phone. It's easy to retrieve your messages later on. You can even use your voice mail as a notepad by leaving yourself reminders.

Be a cellular Samaritan by reporting crimes in progress, accidents and other emergencies to the proper authorities. Dialing 911 is a free call for cellular subscribers in selected cities (Fort Worth does subscribe to this service), however, it should only be used for life threatening emergencies.