Wireless Etiquette - One part of wireless safety!You might be asking yourself what wireless etiquette has to do with safety? In terms of etiquette, I'm not talking about speaking loudly on the phone in a quiet public place, or generally having inappropriate conversations in inappropriate places; that's just plain rude! I'm speaking more about using your wireless phone during times that increase the physical danger to yourself or those around you, namely talking without a headset and texting while driving. phone
to my ear.Particularly as handsets became smaller and smaller, holding it became even more difficult and aggravating. It gives me a headache to try to hold a phone to my ear while turning corners, checking blind spots, etc. I'd rather have both hands free, even if I often end up with one arm on the arm rest ;-). But seriously, at least that way, in an emergency, I have both hands fully free and available for quick manoeuvers. Generally speaking, I think that even the best of us underestimate how our driving quality deteriorates when we've got one hand fixated to our ear holding a phone. Try taking a look at the people driving a car after you get cut off, or witness a pathetic/dangerous turn; often times they're holding a phone to their ear...check it out; poor wireless etiquette! Some people argue that simply the fact of talking on the phone, even with a hands free headset, is distracting and dangerous. My personal opinion is that talking to someone who's in the car next to you can be even more distracting because there's a tendency to want to look at them while conversing. Although, arguably, they are a potential second set of eyes on the road to help avoid an accident. Admittedly, I'm not willing to give up the luxury, and efficient use of commuting time, to talk on the phone, but staying handsfree is certainly critical in my opinion. Even more important than talking while driving, is the topic of text messaging while driving. Yes, when making a voice call you'll have to navigate your phone to either find the saved contact or enter the phone number of the person you're trying to call, or even find that voice recognition button, to make a voice call. You're typically talking about a very brief amount of time that can often be accomplished without even looking, or quickly before leaving on your drive or while at a light. And while that's even arguably dangerous, when it comes to people actually composing text messages while driving, recent events have proven this is more than just bad wireless etiquette, but is extremely dangerous (recall the train accident?). Whether you're using T9 text recognition or a full QWERTY keyboard, typing while driving is absurdly dangerous. For those of us who took defensive driving courses, do you remember the constant scanning of the road, checking your rear view mirror, noting escape routes when boxed in on the highway, etc....? The moment we start trying to text message, even the most simple and quick notes, all of that goes out the window! Some people will feverishly argue that they're pros, they're experts, and they never get distracted, but that's just not humanly possible. At the very least, it means one hand on the wheel with some degree of attention taken off of the road. Side Note: If holding your phone and texting while driving are becoming unlawful wireless etiquette, what about drinking a coffee, eating, or putting on makeup (or both!)? I'm always amazed when I see people putting on makeup while driving. Forget about discussing how they can possibly be seeing the road while peering at themselves in the mirror, it makes me anxious to know that the slightest jerk of the car and they could pierce their eye out with the eye liner pencil or mascara brush; yikes! So on the topic of wireless etiquette, the general conclusion/advice here is to not talk without a handsfree device or text while in a situation where your attention should be on something else, whether it's driving a car, bus, flying a plane, cycling, etc. Better to get to where you're going in one piece; I'm sure the person on the other end of the conversation or message will appreciate having you around. Return from Wireless Etiquette to Wireless Safety
New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave a comment in the box below. |
Related Pages
Find a Prepaid Wireless Broadband Plan!
Prepaid Smartphone Comparison Table!
Share YOUR Prepaid Wireless & Prepaid Broadband Reviews!
Find No Contract Cell Phone Plans!
Subscribe to
Prepaid Wireless Tracker