cell phone calls while driving

[BabaLouRN]

I have had more than a few really SCARY close calls on the Interstate while trying to talk to my boss, coworker, patient or doctors office calling me on my phone while I am working. The company I work for supplies the cell phone but not the fancy kind with bluetooth technology. I really think this should be MANDATORY for nurses on the road who have to depend on their cell phones while in the car We all have seen and heard the hazards and tragedies from people talking on the phone while driving.

[justme1972]

I have had more than a few really SCARY close calls on the Interstate while trying to talk to my boss, coworker, patient or doctors office calling me on my phone while I am working. The company I work for supplies the cell phone but not the fancy kind with bluetooth technology. I really think this should be MANDATORY for nurses on the road who have to depend on their cell phones while in the car We all have seen and heard the hazards and tragedies from people talking on the phone while driving.

Well, it depends. I don't necessarily believe that EVERYONE that talks on a cell phone while driving stops paying attention to the road. I'm just the opposite, I focus on driving so much, I am famous for my friends to start calling my name to ask if I'm still on the line because I suddenly stopped talking to them....because I am concentrating on driving. If I come upon very heavy rush-hour traffic, I always tell who I'm talkikng to that I'll call them back.

The rule I have for myself is that I don't change lanes while I'm on the phone. Mainly because without a headset, it's difficult to hold the steering wheel and the phone while you quickly check your blind spot.

Some people don't pay attention to driving because they are too focused on the music in the car, too focused on rowdy kids, eating, putting on makeup....you never really hear about those.

People should know themselves well enough to know what kind of drivers they are.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I do use my cell phone while driving but usually use the speakerphone. Would that work for you? My phone does have bluetooth too but I don't like things in my ear so that wouldn't work for me.

[dria]

the issue of "driving while distracted" has been studied extensivey-especially concerning use of a cell phone while driving. i mention this only to highlight that most studies have found the real issue is not the act of holding the device, it is the act of having a conversation while driving. i do not believe that a bluetooth or speakerphone will resolve this issue for you...especially for these work related conversations which obviously deserve your full attention. what if the md wanted to give a verbal order? what if your office was calling with a new or urgent visit? how do you record the necessary information cruising down the interstate?

imho, your options are as follows: 1. let the calls roll to voicemail, then return them when you have arrived at your destination (i know, i know, it carries the potential for endless phone tag), or 2. take the incoming call and ask the caller to hold the line for a moment while you pull over.

if you insist on continuing to take calls while driving, doesn't your phone have a jack for the "old fashioned" hands free device? these can be purchased for a nominal cost. there are also kits that you can purchase to run the phone call thru your car radio.

bluetooth is a cool technology, however, it is not the only solution available.

i hope that you find a solution that works for you, and please drive safely!

[Sheri257]

the issue of "driving while distracted" has been studied extensivey-especially concerning use of a cell phone while driving. i mention this only to highlight that most studies have found the real issue is not the act of holding the device, it is the act of having a conversation while driving. i do not believe that a bluetooth or speakerphone will resolve this issue for you...especially for these work related conversations which obviously deserve your full attention. what if the md wanted to give a verbal order? what if your office was calling with a new or urgent visit? how do you record the necessary information cruising down the interstate?

in my state of california, it's now illegal to have any ear pieces, phone, etc. it has to be hands free.

granted ... i don't use my phone for work but, i have found i'm a lot less distracted using the bluetooth speakerphone when i drive. for one thing ... i'm not messing around with the ear piece or phone anymore which, at least for me, was a big distraction.

:typing

[TazziRN, RN]

In my state of California, it's now illegal to have any ear pieces, phone, etc. It has to be hands free.

Eh? Ear pieces make phones hands free.......

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Do to radioshack, target whatever & spend $10 on an a headpiece/mic unit.

Still if it's complex info.... play it safe and call them back

[Cattitude]

I have had more than a few really SCARY close calls on the Interstate while trying to talk to my boss, coworker, patient or doctors office calling me on my phone while I am working. The company I work for supplies the cell phone but not the fancy kind with bluetooth technology. I really think this should be MANDATORY for nurses on the road who have to depend on their cell phones while in the car We all have seen and heard the hazards and tragedies from people talking on the phone while driving.

I'm with you on this. I love Bluetooth. There is no comparison with the regular hands free earpiece. the sound quality is so much better with Bluetooth and its so much easier with voice dialing too.

I wish they would pay for it, especially since my fiance' just spilled juice on mine and it died.

[Sheri257]

Eh? Ear pieces make phones hands free.......

Good point: I misspoke. I was always fiddling around with the ear piece so much that it never really felt hands free to me but, technically, it is.

:typing