Be Safe, Be Courteous
What is Be Sensible?
Be Sensible is a public service campaign to
encourage everyone to be safer and courteous when using
wireless devices. Be Sensible is all about common sense.
It's about using your phone when it's safe and when
it won't disturb those around you. It's about remembering
to turn off your phone before you go into a house of
worship, museum, theater, or a movie. It's about not
using your phone while driving through bad weather or
traffic or when getting into a heated conversation behind
the wheel.
Through compelling programs and friendly,
thought-provoking messages, the goal of Be Sensible
is to ultimately generate a change in thinking and behavior
among all wireless users.
See a list of our Be
Sensible safety advisors.
Wireless Courtesy
It's sometimes easy to forget good
etiquette when using a wireless phone in public situations
like restaurants, museums, libraries, theaters, and
public transportation. With more than 200 million
wireless subscribers in the United States, we all need
to - Be Sensible - and use our wireless devices in a
courteous manner.
Here are a few tips:
- Be considerate of others. Use silent or vibrate
mode to alert you to incoming calls when appropriate.
If you think an outgoing call might interrupt or disturb
the recipient, send a text message instead.
- Excuse yourself. It's perfectly OK to step
away from the table or go into another room to take
an important call.
- Know your place. Libraries, theaters, museums,
and houses of worship are no place for a ringing phone.
Speak quietly while riding on public transportation.
- Let your phone do the work. Use Caller ID
to screen calls or let voicemail take a message.
Use text messaging to communicate discreetly.
- Respect others' privacy. Ask permission before
taking a photo or shooting video of someone with the
built-in camera on your phone.
- Be a wireless Samaritan. Wireless phones can
be invaluable during emergencies. Lives can
be saved, crimes prevented, and drunk drivers apprehended.
Remember, dialing 911 is always a free call.
Wireless Courtesy- Now Starring At A Theater Near
You
Why Promote Wireless Courtesy
in Theaters?
In 2001, the Be Sensible campaign was launched by the
AT&T Wireless to promote safer and more courteous
wireless phone use. A national survey found that, second
only to houses of worship, the place that Americans
least want to be disturbed by a ringing phone is at
the movies. That is why the Be Sensible campaign has
always placed special focus on film-goers.
How Does the Be Sensible Campaign
Wireless Courtesy in Theaters?
The courtesy campaign is best known for the
attention-grabbing public service announcements that
air in movie theaters nationwide. Using a humorous approach,
the trailers remind film-goers to silence their wireless
phones before the movie begins.
In July 2006, a public service trailer
called “Cliché” debuted, directed
by and starring Academy Award winning filmmaker Sydney
Pollack. Previous spots include Cell Phone Ejector Seat,”
“Disk, and the well-known Inconsiderate Cell Phone
Man series.
The movie courtesy message is reinforced
through auditorium signs, reminders on popcorn bags,
on-screen slides, window clings, and other tools.
Has the Courtesy Program Worked?
The ultimate goal of the program is to create a change
in behavior through gentle reminders, and we are happy
to report that the program is effective! Surveys show
that the vast majority of film-goers take action to
silence a phone after watching one of the public service
trailers. It appears that most people want to be courteous-
they just need a little reminder.
Wireless Safety
Driving safely is serious business.
If you think a wireless phone call will be distracting,
don't answer it, don't place it, or just hang up. The
Be Sensible campaign offers the following safety tips
for using your wireless phone while driving:
- Make safe driving your first priority. If a call
will be distracting, wait until your trip is completed
to use your cell phone.
- If you do make a call, dial sensibly and keep your
eyes on the road. Use speed dial, or place your call
before pulling into traffic.
- In some jurisdictions, drivers are required by law
to use a hands-free device while on the phone. If
you use a hands-free device, activate it before beginning
your trip. Also be sure that its use does not interfere
with your ability to hear warning signals inside and
outside the vehicle.
- Hands-free devices can help you keep both hands
on the wheel, but some studies indicate that these
tools do not increase safety. Don't let your attention
stray from safe driving.
- Suspend conversations during hazardous driving situations,
such as heavy traffic or bad weather.
- Don't engage in stressful or emotional conversations
that may distract you from driving safely.
- Don't take notes or look up phone numbers while
driving.
- When driving, don't use your phone to take pictures,
surf the Web, or send messages.
Teen Driving Program
Distractions can be an even greater
issue for new drivers. That is why we produced an updated
teen driver education program, Be Sensible: Don't Drive
Yourself to Distraction–Second Edition.
It is currently available for free to high school and
driving school teachers via www.vpw.com.
Since the first edition of the Be Sensible
teen driver program was introducted in 2002, the
comprehensive educational resource has been provided
at no charge to thousands of teachers nationwide, who
have used the materials to educate nearly 12.5 million
students about managing driver distractions. In fact,
95 percent of the teachers who have used the program
say they plan to use it again.
The new Be Sensible educational kit
includes a compelling 14-minute video, detailed educator's
guide, wall poster, and classroom activities to help
teen students learn about and manage distractions behind
the wheel, including eating, applying make-up, and changing
music selections. Of special note, the Be Sensible program
advocates that novice drivers not use wireless devices
while driving.
Tips for Teens
The Be Sensible guidelines recommend
that drivers under the age of 18 not use a wireless
phone while behind the wheel, except in case of emergency.
New drivers should also be informed
of the following tips on managing distractions while
behind the wheel:
- Ask passengers to help by changing the CD or radio
station, placing a cell phone call, or reading directions
to you.
- If you don't have a passenger, wait until you come
to a complete stop at a red light or stop sign before
changing the CD or radio station.
- If you need to make or take a call, wait until your
trip is complete and your car is safely stopped.
- Never use your phone to take pictures, send and
read messages, record video, or watch TV while driving.
- It's best not to eat and drive at the same time.
If you're traveling with someone, take turns driving
while the passenger eats.
- Avoid stressful or emotional conversations while
driving.
- Don't be a “rubbernecker.” Let your
passengers do the sightseeing while you drive.
- Make safety your most important call. In the
case of an emergency, a cell phone can be a very useful
tool. Remember, dialing 911 is always a free call.
Teen Driving Video
One challenge many parents face is communicating with
teens about safe driving. The fact is, motor vehicle
crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in
the United States. Research also indicates that new
drivers are less able to accommodate distractions while
behind the wheel.
The materials here can help you communicate with your
teen about the dangers of distracted driving and the
importance of remaining focused on the task of driving.
We encourage you to watch the Be Sensible video and
review the Parent-Teen Covenant together.
To view the Be Sensible: Don't Drive Yourself to Distraction
teen driver education video, click on one of the links
below:
High
Bandwidth (Windows 300k)
Low
Bandwidth (Windows 56-150k)
Parent-
Teen Covenant
Awards
The following are some of the awards for Be Sensible
since the program's inception.
The Chris Awards- The Columbus Film and Video
Festival- 2002
The Bronze Plaque Award
Be Sensible: Don't Drive Yourself to Distraction
AT&T Wireless
Awards of Excellence- 2003
Public Service/Business
“Be Sensible! AT&T Wireless Helps Teens
Manage Driving Distractions”
AT&T Wireless
Education Award- 2004
CINE Golden Eagle Award
Education Award- 2004
U.S. International Film and Video Festival Silver Screen
Award
X
Wireless & AT&T Wireless Be Sensible (opens
in new window)
|
