As we wrap up National Safety Month and get ready for the July 4th holiday weekend, it is fitting to focus on the National Safety Council's (NSC's) fourth and final major safety topic for this month - cell phones and driving. The NSC cites that nearly one out of every four vehicle crashes involve cell phone use, and that 62% of drivers recognize that talking on a cell phone is a very serious threat to their personal safety, yet more than two out of every three drivers admit to talking on their cell phone while driving in the past month
(according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety Survey, 2010). Well, I think it is time we each take control of what is happening in our own vehicles. Here are some helpful tips as you head on that road trip this weekend:
If tempted to use your cell phone while driving:
- Change your voice mail to indicate that you are driving and will call back when safely parked
- Put your phone in your trunk or glove compartment
- Set your phone to silent
- If you need to contact someone, pull over to a safe location and place your vehicle in Park first
If you are a passenger and the driver wants to use their cell phone:- Tell the driver you are uncomfortable with their cell phone use
- Offer to dial the number and relay a message
If you are speaking on the phone to someone who is driving:- Tell the person you will call them back later
- Ask the person to call you when he or she is parked in a safe location
Have a safe and wonderful weekend!
No comments:
Post a Comment