To date, Canada is estimated to have 9 million wireless or cell phones, many of these are used in motor vehicles. A cell phone can be useful as a safety aid (i.e. calling in case of an emergency) but they should not become a driving distraction. Drivers need to avoid using their cell phones altogether while driving.Even hands-off cell phones can be a distraction

Chances are, if you're engaged in a conversation you're not giving driving the 100% of your attention that it requires.

Consider the following:

• If you have a new cell phone user, refer to the manual. Make sure you are familiar with the features before taking it with you on the road.

• If you need to use your cell phone, pull over to the side of the road safely before using it. Taking your hands off the wheel to use your cell phone is dangerous and puts you at a higher risk of being involved in a collision.

• Shut you phone off and keep it in a compartment that you don't have access to while you are driving. That way you won't be tempted to use it.

• Develop or encourage your organization to develop a policy that prohibits the use of cell phones while driving on company time.

Remember: Focus on the task of driving!

There are a number of municipalities in the United States with laws forbidding drivers from using hand-held cell phones while they are driving. Also, on the rise in the US is the number of businesses with policies forbidding employees to use cell phones while driving. In December 2002, Newfoundland and Labrador became the first Canadian jurisdiction to ban the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. Other provinces, including Ontario and Nova Scotia, are looking into a similar law.