How to Safely Use Electronic Handheld Devices While Driving

As members of a nation driven (no pun intended) by highly-accessible technology, Americans have long tended to sacrifice personal safety and well being on the road for the sake of their portable gadgets. Think about it. How often have you found yourself mesmerized by the pure stupidity of a fellow driver's ability to text message from his cell phone while simultaneously enter navigational coordinates to his on-dash GPS device, all the while downing his slice of lemon raspberry coffee cake and non-fat, decaf, double-frappe-mocha-licious-Starbuck's latte? Before you realize it, one of you is running into the other.

As an electronics guru myself, I sympathize with the on-the-go need to utilize several devices simultaneously while driving. However, as countless statistics have proven, this choice may not always be the safest one.

In fact, the American Automobile Association (AAA: www.aaa.com) recently published their own research on the texting while driving phenomenon and found that "1 in 5 U.S. drivers admit to texting while driving at least once in the last thirty days," (AAA Newsroom: "AAA Campaign Aims to Pass Texting While Driving Bans in All 50 States by 2013"; article published 9/25/2009).

Many of us recall the tragic Los Angeles train wreck of September 2008, in which train conductor/engineer Robert Sanchez was reported to have been distracted while text messaging teenager Nick Williams. The disastrous crash left 25 people dead, including Sanchez himself, according to FOX national news (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,421801,00.html). The railway tragedy was ranked one of the deadliest train wrecks within the last 15 years.

Countless stories of teens and adults dying in automobile collisions have made national news headlines for years, with text-messaging, cell phone usage and other electronic devices to blame. So how can you ensure your safety and the safety of fellow drivers and roadway pedestrians while using personal and/or in-car electronics?

1. Invest in a Bluetooth earpiece and/or Dashboard-mountable Microphone Device

Countless drivers currently employ the use of these two beneficial forms of technology, both of which allow for hands-free communication on your cell phone and additionally eliminate the need for any wiring. Whereas previous earpieces required a connecting wire to your cell phone (similar to earphones connected to an iPod or MP-3 player), the beauty of the Bluetooth technology lies within its wireless capabilities.

Many cell phones are now sold with an accompanying microphone/earpiece set, which allows the user to speak directly into the wired mic, while the cell phone itself can be placed elsewhere in the vehicle. This again allows for hands-free activity, ensuring that the driver can concentrate on properly and safely navigating the vehicle.

2. Learn How to Operate your Cell Phone's Speed Dial, Voice Activation and Speakerphone Functions

If Bluetooth earpieces and wireless microphones are too technologically complex or are not to your liking, simply preset your phone's hands-free options. The vast majority of recent cell phones and Blackberries come standard with these features.

Speed Dialing Features allow the user to preset a select number of their most frequently called contacts and pair them to specific keys/buttons on the device. For example, a user may preset his/her spouse's cell phone number to the phone's #1 key/button. Instead of having to dial the entire number or scroll through a list of contacts, the user is now able to press one button to initiate the call.

Voice Activation and recognition options are becoming increasingly common on the majority of handheld communication devices. Once properly programmed, they allow the user to simply speak a contact's name or logged entry title and immediately initiate the calling process, without ever pressing a single button. This feature is particularly handy for drivers as it allows for complete control of the steering wheel.

Speakerphone functions have been around in the cell phone world for a number of years now. A nice addition to any cellular communication device with speakerphone capabilities is a dashboard-mountable phone holder. Be certain to strategically mount the holder in a convenient location, one which allows you to view it from your normal driving position. Remember, you will want to be able to see who is calling you without averting your eyes from the road for more than a second or two.

3. Avoid Adjusting GPS Navigational Coordinates while Driving

Although the technological advances of in-car GPS devices continue to astound countless drivers, there is a great danger in operating one under any driving circumstance. As a personal owner of the Garmin® Nuvi 205 series GPS instrument, I can testify to Garmin's concern for driver safety.

Upon turning on the device, the user is greeted with a Warning Screen which reads "Do not attempt to enter route information or adjust this device while driving. Failure to pay full attention to the operation of your vehicle could result in death, serious injury or property damage. You assume total responsibility and risk for using this device." The user must then press "Agree" at the bottom of the touch screen before accessing any navigational features.

If the need arises to adjust your coordinates mid-trip, it is typically suggested that the driver pull over to the side of the road and make a complete stop before doing so. Otherwise you risk injury to yourself and any other passengers present in the vehicle.

Safety is the name of the game when using electronic devices while behind the wheel. Countless deadly automobile accidents occur every year with cell phone usage to blame in hundreds of cases. Each and every incident could have been prevented with a little more caution, common sense and a few of the aforementioned suggestions. Your personal well-being and the well-being of your family and/or fellow passengers and drivers is your highest priority and concern. The next time you decide to employ the use of an electronic device while driving, remember Los Angeles train wreck of 2008. And then utilize some of the above tips. You'll be glad you did.