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This debate has grown in popularity as the wireless phone penetration in the United States has approached the 80% mark. Wireless carriers (cell phone companies) continue posting record numbers of new subscribers, and the cell phone has become a part of life in America.

Distractions are the reason for accidents on the road. Cell phones on a list of other distractions such as: changing CD's, reading, applying make-up, eating, drinking, carrying on a conversation with another person in the car, or even having one's attention captured by something outside the vehicle.

I know many people that call a friend or loved on on the phone to stay awake if they suddenly find they are sleepy on the road. It can also help calm the nerves of people in high-stress situations. For example, I get very nervous about driving in the rain. I find that if I can talk to someone, it allows me to relax enough to make good driving decisions instead of being so tense that I hydroplane or veer off the road.

As someone who has had a cell phone, blackberry, and cellular laptop internet for several years, I will share some of the DO's and DON'Ts involved with communication while on the road:

DO take advantage of handsfree communication. A wired headset is okay, a bluetooth headset is better, and a bluetooth car kit is the best. Many portable navigation systems feature bluetooth handsfree communication, and it's worth spending the extra money to ensure you get a device with this feature.

DO take advantage of speed dial (or better yet, voice dial) functionality. Pressing one button is much less distracting than scrolling through a phone book or dialing the full phone number.

DO make it a habit to plug your phone in when you get in the car. Being mid conversation when a low battery alert tone interrupts will send most people fumbling around for their car charger, causing unnecessary distraction for the driver.

DON'T continue talking when traffic conditions change such that you need to be particularly alert. This could include changing traffic patterns, attempting to merge in heavy congestion, or talking while you are trying to read directions to go somewhere unfamiliar.

DON'T regularly take conference calls in the car where you will be required to mute and unmute the phone regularly. This requires repeated distractions of having to use your device. Using the device, not talking, is what causes danger on the road.

DON'T use services requiring text entry while driving. Talking handsfree is one thing, trying to type on a numeric keypad or QWERTY device is something else entirely. If it is important to send a text or email, do it at the next red light.

DON'T conduct conversations that are emotionally charged or require intense concentration or recall while driving. These conversations can be distracting in and of themselves.

Banning the use of cell phones while driving accomplishes little. Technology is advanced enough that drivers can still do it without being obvious or detectable. Legislation is the wrong solution to a legitimate problem. Wireless device users are the ones that will need to police themselves to make the roads a safer place for everyone.

Learn more about this author, Scot Hulshizer.
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