… or at least use a headset or speaker phone. First things first, the cell phone is a powerful technology that has seen vast improvements over the past decade. It’s one of those gadgets that many of us can’t leave home without. I myself am an avid cell phone user and own a Nokia N73 Music Edition. But you see it more and more these days and that’s people talking on their cell phones while driving.

Now, I’m not saying that every person that talks on their cell while driving is a bad driver. But a good 90% are, and we’ve all seen. Here is an example we can all relate too … the person in front of you starts to brake, there’s nothing in front of them, you pass them to only see them on their cell

So this brings me to my first tip: GET OFF THE CELL PHONE … or at least use a headset or the speaker phone if the cell has one. One of the biggest distractions out there is you talking to a buddy or spouse or family member about some thing or another. But you taking your mind off the road for that one split second could mean the difference between arriving home safely or getting in a fender bender. And while you may be skilled enough to drive with just one hand (which most of us do) you need to have that second one available just in case.

So what should you do when a call comes in:

• Let the answering machine take it, that’s what it is there for;
• Use your headset;
• Put it on speaker;
• If you have to take the call be selective, take only the important ones and pull over to a safe area on the side and take the call;
• DON’T BRAKE;
• Watch the road!
• Keep both your hands on the steering wheel, or at one hand on the steering wheel and the other available just in case;

We’ve all seen the signs … Drive Now Talk Later. It makes sense. So make the call to not answer your cell.