Cell phones are a unique distraction because they involve all three types of driver distraction:
- they can take your eyes off the road,
- your hands off the wheel, and
- your mind off driving, all at the same time.
Tips on Cell Phone Usage and Driving
- Turn off your cell phone when you get in your vehicle and turn it back on when you are done driving. Place the cell phone out of your reach while driving – even in the trunk, until you can avoid the temptation. If you can’t turn your phone off, put it on vibrate or silent mode.
- Do not send or read texts or emails.
- Do not attempt to make calls or check/send emails while stopped at a traffic light as a majority of crashes occur at intersections. We need to stay alert so we can respond to the actions of other drivers.
- Be clear to your callers on your voice mail that you are a cell phone-free driver and not available to make calls while driving. Tell them you will return their call when you can safely do so.
- Start all calls by asking if anyone is driving. If so, request that they hang-up and call back in when they are in a safe location.
- If you spend a lot of time on the road, organize your route and schedule so you can make phone calls from the parking lot of one location before driving to the next one.
- Establish regular times when callers can contact you and when you will return calls.
- Let someone else drive (when possible) so that you can freely make or receive calls.
- If you are traveling with a passenger, allow them to operate the phone.
- If you must make an emergency call, leave the road and park in a safe area first.