Cell Phone/School Zone Safety

Care Flight would like to remind drivers that while behind the wheel of an automobile, it is important to stay off cell phones and concentrate on the road. This is especially important when driving through a "school zones" where children are walking to or from school. When school zone lights are flashing, please put the phone down or pull over to the side of the road to take a call.

Care Flight is working to discourage cell phone use while driving through school zones during the start of, and dismissal from, school.

According to the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, cell phone distraction causes 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States every year.

By either staying off a cell phone while driving or pulling over to talk, a positive example is set. Make it point to do your own teaching in a school zone and put down your cell phone while driving or pull over.

To avoid collisions arising from the use of cell phones:

• Turn the phone off before you start driving. Let callers leave a message.

• If there are passengers in the vehicle, let one of them take or make the call. If you're expecting an important call, let someone else drive.

• If you have to make or receive a call, look for a safe opportunity to pull over and park.