Arrive Alive: 10 Cell Phone Tips for Safe Driving

Cell phones have revolutionized the way we interact. They save lives in emergencies, keep families in touch and make the farthest places on earth as close as the neighbor next door. But they also pose a serious driving hazard: cell phones are the worst of all driving distractions. Since cell phones are here to stay, take a look at these ten simple ideas that will make your driving safer.

1. Get to know your cell phone. Cell phones come loaded with hundreds of useful features. Some of these features are used only occasionally, and they require more thought and attention than the basic dial-and-chat function. It's a good idea to become familiar with those functions you use the most. Don't wait until you're in traffic to learn how to access your voicemail.

2. Practice off-road, Now that you know where everything is located, spend the time to get comfortable with operating your phone without looking directly at it.

3. Go hands-free. If you don't have a hands-free feature on your current phone, consider adding it to your next one. Experts say the best place to keep your speaker-phone is clipped to the visor, so you can carry on a conversation with both hands on the wheel. Until you make the change, wait until your car is stopped before you manually dial numbers.

4. Stick to speed dialing. Hitting one number to make that important connection is an easy task compared to dialing 10 numbers in the middle of downtown traffic. It's best not to use more than single-digit speed dialing, so arrange your most frequently called numbers in 0 to 9 order.

5. Check out voice activation. It's much safer to use your voice than it is to use your hands and you'll have fun teaching the system to understand how you pronounce all of your best friends' names.

6. Take a message. If you're driving in heavy traffic or bad weather, let your voicemail take the call. No call is important enough to take risks behind the wheel.

7. No texting! Text messaging has increased to the point that many people use it as their primary cell phone function, but it's a daredevil stunt when you text behind the wheel. This also goes for all those other fun features like Web surfing, music downloading and playing the new version of Tetris®.

8. Know the law. Many states have set restrictions on the use of cell phones, and police patrols are keeping their eyes out for violators. Follow the rules for your area.

9. Don't take notes. If you regularly need to write down numbers, names and addresses, try keeping a small recording device in your car. Even better, when friends give you those numbers and names, ask them to text it to you for later access.

10. Skip the stress. Make it a practice to avoid emotional and stressful calls on the road. Save the quarrels and job interviews for later and keep your energy focused on staying safe.

We all use cell phones on the road from time to time. Even though they're a great resource, they can be dangerous. Make sure your auto policy will cover you for any type of accident. NetQuote can help by connecting you with quality agents in your area. You'll receive competitive quotes and can select the policy that best meets your needs.

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