CTIA Urges Labor Day Travelers to Drive Safely, Be Good Samaritans

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 30 On the last big vacation weekend of
the summer, millions of Americans will travel the nation's highways to visit
family, friends and holiday retreats.  According to experts, Labor Day is one
of the most traveled weekends of the year and the second most dangerous to
drive. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that more than 27.7
million Americans will travel by car this holiday weekend, and the National
Safety Council estimates that as many as 500 individuals may lose their lives
in car crashes.

    The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA) urges
holiday travelers to drive safely and responsibility.  "Behind the wheel,
drivers are tempted to engage in many potentially distracting activities --
from eating and drinking on the go, looking at roadmaps to find their way, and
using their wireless phones to inform loved ones of their progress," said Dee
Yankoskie, manager of wireless education programs for CTIA.  "But, with the
privilege of driving comes a responsibility.  Each of us must be cautious,
courteous and exercise good judgments when behind the wheel."

    Out of all potential driver distractions, a wireless phone is the only one
that could save a life.  Every day, over 140,000 calls are placed to emergency
services from wireless phones -- 96 calls per minute.  These calls aid in
reporting traffic accidents, as well as drunk, impaired and aggressive drivers
on urban and rural streets and highways.

    This holiday weekend, CTIA urges drivers to be good Samaritans.  Alert
drivers using their wireless phones to report crashes and disabled vehicles
can save lives.  "Wireless phones are one of the best safety devices ever
developed for helping others involved in break-downs or accidents," added
Yankoskie.  "But as drivers, safety is our first, second and third
responsibility not only this busy holiday weekend, but every time we take the
wheel."

    The wireless industry reminds Labor Day drivers that if they do use their
wireless phones while driving, to first ask themselves, "Is this the right
time to make a call?"  "Will this call distract me from my first
responsibility to drive safely?"  If they decide conditions are safe to call,
drivers are encouraged to follow some basic dos and don'ts:

    *  Let the person you are talking with know you're driving and keep the
       call short.
    *  Use a hands-free device and speed dial to place calls.
    *  Never take notes or look up phone numbers while driving.
    *  Never use your phone in heavy traffic, hazardous conditions or engage
       emotional or stressful conversations while driving.
    *  Let voicemail pick-up the call if you can't easily reach your phone.

    And remember, state laws prohibit distracted driving.