Nearly half of American teenagers have cell phones.* A cell phone can help assure your parents that you're safe, be a convenient tool in planning busy schedules and be a fun way to keep in touch with friends. But did you know a cell phone could be dangerous in the wrong situation? A recent study shows that a 20-year-old driver on a cell phone has the same reaction time as a 70-year-old driver not on a cell phone. Young people in a University of Utah study who chatted on a cell phone while using a driving simulator were 18% slower to hit the brakes than those not on a cell phone. And it's not just behind the wheel that a cell phone can be a distraction. If you're talking while walking alone,
you might miss warning signs that you've
entered a dangerous situation.

Play It Safe
Pay attention behind the wheel to ensure
you'll react quickly to any changes in road
conditions. Wait until you get to your
destination before talking on your cell,
or if you must talk while in the car, pull
over to the side of the road (make
sure you find a safe spot) and wait
until you're finished with the call
before getting back into traffic.