Be Sensible
Be Safe, Be Courteous
About Be Sensible
Wireless Courtesy
Courtesy at the Movies
Wireless Safety
Teen Driving Program
Teen Driving Video
Newsroom Awards
What is Be Sensible?
Be Sensible is a public service campaign to encourage everyone to be more safe 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 former Cingular 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 Promote 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 February 2008, a public service trailer featuring Academy Award-winning film director, writer and producer Martin Scorsese debuted. The piece urges moviegoers, "please don't interrupt our movies with ringing cell phones in theatres." Previous spots included Academy Award-winning film directors and actors Forest Whitaker and Sydney Pollack. View the trailer
AT&T's wireless courtesy message is reinforced through auditorium signs and posters.
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.
Special tips for teen drivers.
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 introduced 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)
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
Cingular Wireless
Awards of Excellence—2003
Public Service/Business
“Be Sensible! Cingular Wireless Helps Teens Manage Driving Distractions”
Cingular Wireless
Education Award—2004
CINE Golden Eagle Award
Education Award—2004
U.S. International Film and Video Festival Silver Screen Award
