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Verizon Wireless Offers Responsible Driving Tips to Holiday Travelers

19 December 2000

Verizon Wireless Offers Responsible Driving Tips to Holiday Travelers

    SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Dec. 18 According to the American Travel
Survey, Christmas and New Year's travelers journey the farthest (413 and 526
miles respectively) to celebrate the holidays.  More than 83 percent of
Christmas travelers and 78.9 percent of New Year's travelers will go by
automobile and many will use wireless phones to call for help in an emergency
or to stay in touch with their families during the drive.
    To promote responsible driving this holiday season, Verizon Wireless
offers consumers the following driving tips while using a wireless phone:

    -- Place calls when stopped or before pulling into traffic.  If your
       phone rings, pull over to a safe area on the side of the road or let a
       passenger take the call.
    -- Allow voice mail to take calls.  Check your messages and return calls
       when you can pull over to a safe area or have reached your
       destination.
    -- Suspend conversations when driving conditions are dangerous or traffic
       is heavy.
    -- Use hands-free devices.  Using speakerphones, voice-activated dialing
       services, or hands-free devices allows you to keep your eyes on the
       road and both hands on the wheel.
    -- Do not look up phone numbers or take notes while driving.  Pull off
       the road to a safe place to write down directions or look up phone
       numbers.
    -- Avoid engaging in distracting conversations.  Emotional conversations
       are likely to divert your attention from the road.
    -- Use your wireless phone to call for help.  Dial 9-1-1 in case of fire,
       traffic accidents and other emergencies or road hazards.  This is a
       free call from your wireless phone.
    -- When calling 9-1-1, be sure to give your name and wireless phone
       number, including area code, your location or a major landmark, and
       the details of the situation.

    Consumers can pick up a free "responsible driving" brochure that includes
these tips and other safe driving techniques at Verizon Wireless stores
throughout the region.