Many consumers may be unaware of current or upcoming driver safety laws that restrict mobile phone use behind the wheel — which could result in fines anywhere from $20 for a first offense to almost $300 for subsequent offenses.

"The best solution today’s motorists
have for driving responsibly while
staying connected are
handsfree devices."

First of all, if you’re wondering why these laws are being enacted, between 350,000 and 730,000 auto accidents occur each year according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — many due to distractions such as mobile phone use while driving. For example, in Kansas City, MO, a driver who ran a red light while retrieving her ringing mobile phone hit a bus, causing one rider to sustain serious injuries. The driver of the car told police she had bent over to pick up the ringing phone and sat up to find she was going through a red light. Driver safety laws are meant to reduce distractions that will hopefully lower the annual rate of accidents in order to make our roads safer.

Studies conducted by various insurance companies and institutions have attempted to examine the impact mobile phones have on the way we drive. Unfortunately, since mobile phones are still considered a relatively new technology, solid statistical information regarding their relationship to accidents is not up to par — yet. However, you don’t need a study to know that motorists today frequently drive with one hand on their phone.

But we don’t mean to vilify mobile phone use since they provide us with so many conveniences and benefits. For example, thanks to mobile phones, response to medical emergencies, road hazards, congestion, and problem drivers is faster; about 40 percent of all 911 calls — roughly 98,000 per day — are made on mobile phones. In addition, mobile phones provide drivers with a heightened degree of personal security for themselves and their occupants: As long as you’re within range of a phone tower, calling for help during a mechanical problem or roadside mishap has never been easier.

While arguments for and against mobile phone use in cars continues, one thing is clear: The best solution today’s motorists have for driving responsibly while staying connected are handsfree devices. Headsets and car kits allow you to conduct phone conversations, as you normally would, while keeping your hands safely on the wheel.

1. Get to know your mobile phone:
Familiarize yourself with your phone’s various handsfree features and functions, including speakerphone, voice dialing, Bluetooth pairing, headphone port, speed dialing and redialing.
2. Know your handsfree device:
Using a handsfree device and knowing its functions and features will allow you to keep your hands on the wheel at all times and reduce the risk of accidents.
3. Pair your headset before you start driving:
Make sure your headset is paired with your phone before you start your engine. New generation Bluetooth headsets make pairing easy: After initial “out of box” pairing, simply turn on the device and it will pair automatically every time.
4. Use voice dialing:
If your phone is equipped with voice dialing, use it to safely make calls to those you talk to the most.
5. Plug charger in before driving:
If you know your mobile phone or handsfree device is running low on juice, plug your charger in and connect to your device before shifting gears.
6. Try to avoid emotional conversations:
Defining “emotional” can vary from person to person; however, if a conversation requires strong feelings of joy, sorrow, fear, or anger, you could lose focus behind the wheel.
7. Pull over, if possible, when you need to place/receive a call:
Unless it’s an emergency and if traffic conditions allow, try to pull over if you need to make or receive a phone call.
8. Keep conversations short:
Try to keep conversations as brief as possible. The longer the conversation, the greater the chance of getting into an accident.
9. Don’t text and drive:
Texting requires far too much time and concentration to be done while in traffic. If you must compose a message, pull over to do so.
10. Use your voicemail:
If you receive a call in the middle of traffic, let it go to voicemail. You can always listen to it later.