Appendix A Message from the CTIA
(Cellular Telecommunications & Internet
Association) to all users of mobile phones
© 2001 Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association.
All Rights Reserved. 1250 Connecticut Avenue, NW Suite 800, Washington,
DC 20036. Phone: (202) 785-0081
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Safety is the most important call you will ever make.
A Guide to Safe and Responsible Wireless Phone Use
Tens of millions of people in the U.S. today take advantage of the unique
combination of convenience, safety and value delivered by the wireless
telephone. Quite simply, the wireless phone gives people the powerful ability
to communicate by voice--almost anywhere, anytime--with the boss, with a
client, with the kids, with emergency personnel or even with the police. Each
year, Americans make billions of calls from their wireless phones, and the
numbers are rapidly growing.
But an important responsibility accompanies those benefits, one that every
wireless phone user must uphold. When driving a car, driving is your first
responsibility. A wireless phone can be an invaluable tool, but good judgment
must be exercised at all times while driving a motor vehicle--whether on the
phone or not.
The basic lessons are ones we all learned as teenagers. Driving requires
alertness, caution and courtesy. It requires a heavy dose of basic common
sense---keep your head up, keep your eyes on the road, check your mirrors
frequently and watch out for other drivers. It requires obeying all traffic signs
and signals and staying within the speed limit. It means using seatbelts and
requiring other passengers to do the same.
But with wireless phone use, driving safely means a little more. This
brochure is a call to wireless phone users everywhere to make safety their first
priority when behind the wheel of a car. Wireless telecommunications is
keeping us in touch, simplifying our lives, protecting us in emergencies and
providing opportunities to help others in need.
When it comes to the use of wireless phones, safety is your most important call.
Wireless Phone "Safety Tips"
Below are safety tips to follow while driving and using a wireless phone
which should be easy to remember.
1 Get to know your wireless phone and its features such as speed dial and
redial. Carefully read your instruction manual and learn to take advantage of
valuable features most phones offer, including automatic redial and memory.
Also, work to memorize the phone keypad so you can use the speed dial
function without taking your attention off the road.
2 When available, use a hands free device. A number of hands free wireless
phone accessories are readily available today. Whether you choose an
installed mounted device for your wireless phone or a speaker phone
accessory, take advantage of these devices if available to you.
3 Position your wireless phone within easy reach. Make sure you place your
wireless phone within easy reach and where you can grab it without
removing your eyes from the road. If you get an incoming call at an
inconvenient time, if possible, let your voice mail answer it for you.
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Appendix A Message from the CTIA
4 Suspend conversations during hazardous driving conditions or situations.
Let the person you are speaking with know you are driving; if necessary,
suspend the call in heavy traffic or hazardous weather conditions. Rain, sleet,
snow and ice can be hazardous, but so is heavy traffic. As a driver, your first
responsibility is to pay attention to the road.
5 Do not take notes or look up phone numbers while driving. If you are reading
an address book or business card, or writing a "to do" list while driving a car,
you are not watching where you are going. It’s common sense. Don’t get
caught in a dangerous situation because you are reading or writing and not
paying attention to the road or nearby vehicles.
6 Dial sensibly and assess the traffic; if possible, place calls when you are not
moving or before pulling into traffic. Try to plan your calls before you begin
your trip or attempt to coincide your calls with times you may be stopped at
a stop sign, red light or otherwise stationary. But if you need to dial while
driving, follow this simple tip--dial only a few numbers, check the road and
your mirrors, then continue.
7 Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations that may be
distracting. Stressful or emotional conversations and driving do not mix--
they are distracting and even dangerous when you are behind the wheel of a
car. Make people you are talking with aware you are driving and if necessary,
suspend conversations which have the potential to divert your attention from
the road.
8 Use your wireless phone to call for help. Your wireless phone is one of the
greatest tools you can own to protect yourself and your family in dangerous
situations--with your phone at your side, help is only three numbers away.
Dial 9-1-1 or other local emergency number in the case of fire, traffic
accident, road hazard or medical emergency. Remember, it is a free call on
your wireless phone!
9 Use your wireless phone to help others in emergencies. Your wireless phone
provides you a perfect opportunity to be a "Good Samaritan" in your
community. If you see an auto accident, crime in progress or other serious
emergency where lives are in danger, call 9-1-1 or other local emergency
number, as you would want others to do for you.
10 Call roadside assistance or a special wireless non-emergency assistance number
when necessary. Certain situations you encounter while driving may require
attention, but are not urgent enough to merit a call for emergency services. But
you still can use your wireless phone to lend a hand. If you see a broken-down
vehicle posing no serious hazard, a broken traffic signal, a minor traffic accident
where no one appears injured or a vehicle you know to be stolen, call roadside
assistance or other special non-emergency wireless number.
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Careless, distracted individuals and people driving irresponsibly represent a
hazard to everyone on the road. Since 1984, the Cellular Telecommunications
Industry Association and the wireless industry have conducted educational
outreach to inform wireless phone users of their responsibilities as safe drivers
and good citizens. As we approach a new century, more and more of us will
take advantage of the benefits of wireless telephones. And, as we take to the
roads, we all have a responsibility to drive safely.
The wireless industry reminds you to use your phone safely when driving.
For more information, please call 1-888-901-SAFE.
For updates: http://www.wow-com.com/consumer/issues/driving/
articles.cfm?ID=85
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Appendix B Message from the FDA