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