Okay…so we are familiar with the acronym “DUI” and now we are familiar with DWD (driving while drowsy). I was just reading an article about Driving under the influence – of a cell phone! I often get asked…what is the difference between driving your car and talking to your passengers or talking on the phone? Is there a difference? When talking to a passenger, he/she is another set of eyes watching where you are driving. But that is not all…when you are talking on a cell phone your concentration level is different. You become more focused on the call then the road, plus by holding the phone to your ear you create a new blind area, you will reduce your reaction time because you are steering with only one arm, not to mention the muscle strain that is will cause.

Did you know that most drivers holding a coffee will often go off the road before they will drop the coffee to regain steering…. it is human nature….

I myself use a cell phone but I never hold the phone to my ear, I always use a head phone of some sort. Plus I have learned the keys so that I can dial without looking.

Making calls is clearly an issue…what about text and email. Many of the new email devices such as treo and the blackberry advertise the “one handed” functionality…. so that you can still drive while sending an email?? One company told their sales staff that they are to respond to emails immediately … whether they are on the road or not!

In the States companies are being sued because their employees were on the phone while driving. Will that come to Canada….maybe…what is your company policy? Do foremen talk on the phone? Talk on the Radio? Do Police officers type on their laptops while driving. Our next article will talk about how far you travel when you look away…. plus…how far will you reach while driving?

Be Safe…be reasonable!