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(NAPSI)-As more and more families take to the already-crowded highways for their annual vacations, safe driving habits become more important than ever. This includes the proper use of cell phones.
Nearly 208 million people in the United States are wireless phone customers, and law enforcement agencies have long endorsed carrying a cell phone in the car for emergencies. In fact, more than 130,000 emergency calls are made from wireless phones each day to report everything from life-threatening car accidents to reckless drivers.
But highway patrol officers also have broad authority to cite obviously distracted drivers whose inattention can pose serious danger on the road, whether they happen to be reading a map, turning up the radio or making a phone call.
Using proper judgment while driving and using a cell phone is essential, and most safety recommendations are just good plain sense. As a driver, your first responsibility is to pay attention to the highway, so next time you are on the road, remember the following cell phone safety tips from SouthernLINC Wireless:
• Use a hands-free device that allows you to use a wireless phone without holding the phone to your ear. This frees both hands for use on the steering wheel.
• Try to keep your phone calls short and informational; avoid intense or emotional conversations that might distract you from your driving.
• Try to make all your phone calls before you head out on the road, but if you must use your phone, do it while on a restroom or restaurant break or while stopped at a red light.
• Keep your phone in easy reach in the car, not in your purse or glove compartment. If your phone rings and you are unable to safely take the call, let it go to voice mail.
• If you must take a call, let the caller know that you are driving. Don't be afraid to end the call if the weather gets bad or the traffic gets heavy.
• Pull over to a safe spot before looking up a phone number, taking notes during a conversation or text messaging.
• Use your phone to report serious emergencies on the road as well as reckless, aggressive or impaired drivers. Dialing 9-1-1 is free from most wireless phones.
If you must use a wireless phone while driving, keep calls short and use a hands-free device.