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