With the number of cell phone users increasing, the risk of driving with it has also reached alarming proportions. The tips listed are for all existing and to-be mobile drivers of today.

Get to know your phone Get to know your phone and its features such as speed dial and redial. Carefully read your instruction manual and learn to take advantage of valuable features most phones offer including, automatic redial and memory dial-most phones can store up to 99 numbers in memory dial. Also, work to memorize the phone keypad so you can use the speed dial function without taking your attention off the road.

Use hands free devices***
When available, use a hands free device. A number of hands free wireless phone accessories are readily available today. Whether you choose an installed mounted device for your phone or a speaker phone accessory, take advantage of these devices if available to you.

Position your phone within easy reach
Position your phone within easy reach. Make sure you place your wireless phone within easy reach and where you can grab it without removing your eyes from the road. If you get an incoming call at an inconvenient time, let your voice mail answer it for you.

Suspend conversation during hazardous conditions
Suspend conversations during hazardous driving conditions or situations. Let the person you are speaking to know you are driving; if necessary, suspend the call in heavy traffic or hazardous weather conditions. Rain, sleet, snow and ice can be hazardous, but so is heavy traffic. As a driver, your first responsibility is to pay attention to the road.

Pay attention to the road
Do not take notes or look up phone numbers while driving. If you are reading an address book or business card while driving a car, or writing a "to do" list, then you are not watching where you are going. It's common sense. Don't get caught in a dangerous situation because you are reading or writing and not paying attention to the road or nearby vehicles.

Dial sensibly and assess the traffic
Dial sensibly and assess the traffic; if possible, place calls when you are not moving or before pulling into traffic. Try to plan your calls before you begin your trip, or attempt to coincide your calls with times you may be stopped at a stop sign, red light or otherwise stationary. But if you need to dial while driving, follow this simple tip-dial only a few numbers, check the road and your mirrors, then continue.

Do not engage in distracting conversations
Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations that may be distracting. Stressful or emotional conversations and driving do not mix-they are distracting and even dangerous when you are behind the wheel. Make people you are talking with aware you are driving and if necessary, suspend phone conversations which have the potential to divert your attention from the road.

Use your phone to call for help
Use your phone to call for help. Your wireless phone is one of the greatest tools you can own to protect yourself and your family in dangerous situations-with your phone at your side.

Use your phone to help others
Use your phone to help others in emergencies. Your wireless phone provides you a perfect opportunity to be a "good Samaritan" in your community. If you see an auto accident, crime in progress or other serious emergency where lives are in danger, call the emergeny numbers as you would want others to do for you.

Some handy tips
Use your cell phone only when parked, or have a passenger use it.
Never dial the phone or take notes while driving.

If your phone rings while driving, let the cellular voice mail service take the call and listen to the message later when you are parked.

Make sure the phone is easy to see and reach.

Get to know your phone and its features (such as speed dial and redial).

If you must answer your phone, let the person you are speaking to know you are driving; suspend the call until you can pull over.

Do not engage in stressful or emotional conversations (on your phone or with passengers in your car) that may divert your attention from the road.

AND, for those who would argue that talking on your cell phone is no more dangerous than putting on makeup, eating fast food, or reading a map while driving.Think twice

Horrible Health hazards:

Two minutes of exposure to emissions from mobile phones can disable a safety barrier in blood causing proteins and toxins to leak into the brain, could increase chances of developing Alzheimer’s multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s. (Scientists at Sweden’s Lund University)

Scientists say exposure to the phones’ low-level radiation causes red blood cells to leak haemoglobin and can lead to heart disease and kidney stones.

Recent studies suggesting a link between cell-phone use and brain tumors, and the possibility that the microwaves could ignite petroleum fumes at gas stations.

(***Note: Studies have shown that the distraction of a driver's attention from the road contributes to accidents involving cellular phones and that handsfree devices do not reduce the incidence of accidents***)