| Cell phones are everywhere and I believe they are | | | | the conversation is not intense and is as quick as |
| here to stay. With the advent of cellular phones for | | | | possible.Place your phone within relatively easy reach |
| public use came a whole host of issues that I don't | | | | so you don't have to fumble for it. You might not be |
| think anyone expected, at least not in the magnitude | | | | able to get the phone without taking your attention off |
| we are seeing today. There are two kinds of cell | | | | the road. The safest way to handle calls while you are |
| phone safety and then there is cell phone etiquette. | | | | driving is to let your voice mail pick up the call. You can |
| There is practical cell phone safety, which addresses | | | | always call whomever it was that called you. Do not |
| the safest ways for you to use your cell, and etiquette | | | | take notes, or look for a phone number while driving. If |
| plays a huge part in this. The other safety concern is | | | | you absolutely must dial a number while driving punch |
| that there are some health risks to those who use | | | | two or three numbers then look at the road and so |
| cellular phones. We will look at each issue in turn and | | | | on.Cell phones operate using radio frequencies (RF) to |
| hopefully give people something to ponder.Cell phones | | | | make and receive calls. Government standards call for |
| and driving are a big controversy. As a matter of fact | | | | a low SAR. If it is a high number there is a serious risk |
| many states in the United States are contemplating | | | | of radiation emissions from your phone into your ear. |
| enacting legislation that would ban the use of cell | | | | High emissions heat tissue in very much the same |
| phones in a car. While I think something has to be done | | | | manner as a microwave oven does. This essentially |
| about using cell phones while driving, I don't think it is a | | | | cooks the tissue. On the other hand however, low |
| practical idea to ban their use altogether in vehicles. I | | | | emissions have not been proven to cause any health |
| don't know how it would be monitored except to | | | | risks. You can minimize the amount of exposure to |
| develop technology that would block all numbers while | | | | radiation by properly using your antenna or not blocking |
| driving except emergency numbers. Until such a thing | | | | it. If an antenna is blocked it begins to heat up and the |
| occurs or people start refraining as much as possible | | | | radiation only has one place to go your ear. Usually if |
| from using a cell phone in their cars we must be extra | | | | you hold your phone at the bottom of the phone you |
| careful on the road.Driving safely while using a cell | | | | probably won't block your antenna.You can use your |
| phone is a contradiction I think. There are however, | | | | cell phone to call for help in the event of an |
| some things you can do to improve your safety and | | | | emergency; emergency calls are free. Use your cell |
| that of others. The most important thing is to learn | | | | phone to be a 'Good Samaritan.' If you see an |
| about your phone and all its features, (i.e. speed dial | | | | accident, a car on the side of the road with mechanical |
| and redial). Memorize the keypad in the event you | | | | trouble, or a crime in progress, call 911. If someone is in |
| need to make a phone call while driving. Learn | | | | danger you can call 911 as well. An example of this |
| specifically about the speed dial feature. The numbers | | | | follows: while driving across a bridge I noted that a |
| you should put on speed dial is your spouse, 911, your | | | | group of kids jumping from the edge of the bridge into |
| job, your child's school, and the number of a close | | | | the water below. There were sharp rocks below and |
| relative that is not your spouse. As it is conversations | | | | anything could have happened.Identity theft is also a |
| on the cell phone while driving will take your attention | | | | serious concern with cellular phones. There is |
| off the road.If you have to use your cell phone while | | | | technology available that enables the recording of your |
| driving a hands free kit is a good choice. | | | | frequencies, they are then decoded, and can be |
| Conversations however, still should be kept to a | | | | programmed into another phone using your information. |
| minimum and where possible you should not talk if you | | | | People have been known to run up astronomical bills |
| are moving or in a hazardous situation (i.e. icy roads or | | | | using this method. In recent weeks a new device has |
| heavy traffic). A speaker phone kit is available as well | | | | come on the market that jams cell phone signals |
| as a safety choice. Here again be mindful of when | | | | rendering cell phones in a radius of just a few miles |
| and where you are talking on the cell phone. While you | | | | useless. Be responsible, be safe, and be a considerate |
| may be able to maintain your attention on the road | | | | cell phone user. |
| while using a speakerphone take care to ensure that | | | | |