Cell Phone Usage

Transport Canada recommends against using cell phones while driving. It is distracting and increases the risk of collision. Your primary concern is the safe operation of the vehicle. While no Canadian jurisdiction prohibits the use of cellular phones while driving, some are considering legislation that would prohibit the use of hand-held phones while driving. In any case, use common sense.

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.

If, for some reason you have no alternative but to use a cellular phone while driving, here are some tips:

• Use only a speakerphone or a hands-free phone. Make sure you put on the hands-free accessories before you start driving. But be aware: hands-free is not risk-free.
• If you must use a hand-held phone, place it where it will be readily accessible. Trying to retrieve a phone from a briefcase, handbag or pocket can be especially dangerous.
• Don't answer the phone until you have checked that it is safe to do so.
• Use speed dial options. If you know you will need to call an unprogrammed number, dial the number before starting off and send the call at your convenience.
• Driving and talking on a phone at the same time is difficult. Don't make it worse by trying to read or take notes. Do pull over and stop.
• Keep calls short and factual. Emotional or thought-provoking conversations are distracting. Recent research suggests that decisions made while driving and talking on a cell phone are not always good decisions.
• It's good etiquette to ask a caller to hold until you can park, or to say you'll return the call as soon as it's safe to do so.
• Stay in the right-hand lane, where driving may be less demanding.
• When reporting an emergency situation from a cell phone, pull over and ensure you are not in the flow of traffic. If you must keep driving, remember your primary concern is to avoid causing another emergency.

Check Your Habits

Good driving habits can save you money in the long run. Here are three smart tips...

• Accelerate gently but steadily -- jack-rabbit starts can significantly decrease mileage.
• Plan your trips so you won't get stuck in traffic jams, and listen to radio reports for alternate routes around congested areas.
• Use the cruise control -- it can save fuel by maintaining a steady speed.

Idling Equals Zero Miles Per Gallon!

When not in a traffic lane, turn off your car engine if stopping more than 30 seconds. Restarting uses less gasoline.

Cut That Air Conditioner

Using a vehicle's air conditioner on a hot summer day could decrease mileage by as much as 21 percent. If it's cool enough, use the flow-through ventilation on your car instead of the air conditioner.

Close the Windows

If you're driving on the freeway, keep your windows rolled up. Opening a window creates wind drag and will lower your mileage. Use the car's flow-through ventilation.

Select the Right Grade of Gasoline

Most cars will run fine on regular, and by using regular unleaded instead of mid-grade or premium unleaded you can save money. So, check your vehicle's owner manual to find out what's right for your car.