Driving Safety

There is growing concern of the dangers posed by motorists using cellular phones whilst driving. An international survey amongst 837 drivers with cell phones found that almost half swerved or drifted into another lane, 23% had tailgated, 21% cut someone off and 18% nearly hit another vehicle while using the phone.

• The risks posed by the cellular phones emanate from the distraction of thinking about the conversation, not only the distraction of physically handling or looking at the device.
• Unlike CD players or other distractions such as eating or drinking, communications technologies require a driver to cognitively interact with the device.
• The use of cognitive functions can diminish the ability to focus on the task of driving.
• Phones are much more sophisticated than they were a decade ago. Modern mobile phones can take, send and receive pictures. They allow users to surf the Web, check stock quotes and sports scores, play video games and perform a variety of additional functions beyond conversation.
• Best advice is to avoid using cellular phones when driving
• When the phone rings, let it ring! It’s better to use your phone’s voicemail or even miss a call than to put yourself, your passengers or others at risk.
• Use hand free microphones
• If you have to make a call on a hands free cellular phone – ask a passenger to dial or answer the phone for you
• Keep your calls brief
• If you expect such a call to last longer than a few seconds – be on the lookout for a suitable spot to pull over
• Never take notes or jot down numbers whilst driving
• When in heavy traffic – rather tell the person you will call back when it is safer
• If you call someone who is driving and he or she tells you they would prefer to speak later when they have arrived at their destination please respect their wishes and allow them to hang up the phone.