1. Turn off the engine when you idle, especially in cold weather, it can create obstructive exhaust fumes.
There have always been fuel economy and emission concerns regarding vehicle engine idling. But idling in the winter can also be dangerous for other moving vehicles nearby, if the exhaust fumes obstruct their view. Be considerate and efficient, by turning off the engine when it doesn't need to be on.

2. Use your headlights not only at night but in foggy or snowy weather conditions when needed.
Your headlights can be useful to light up your surroundings during weather conditions that make it difficult to see the road ahead. Additionally, lights can make other drivers aware of you so they can be more wary if their surroundings.

3. Keep a safe following distance when driving; at least 2-3 seconds behind the car in front of you.
Leaving space around your vehicle while driving is important for avoiding collisions. If for some reason the car in front makes a sudden brake, you need enough space to also stop. You may want to keep a bit more distance if you are driving in front of trucks or larger vehicles that are blocking your front view, as well as smaller vehicles (such as motorcycles) that can stop more quickly than you.

Follow Voice on the Go on Twitter for more tips, news and updates. If you have any driver safety tips, let us know via @VoiceOnTheGo / #VoiceOnTheGo or in a comment and we'll share!

Here's another roundup of safety tips from Voice on the Go!

1. At railway crossings, if a train is coming, stop at least five metres away from the nearest rail / gate.
Some railway crossings include a flashing light indicator; when this light is flashing, stop at least 5m from the gate and do not cross until the lights have stopped flashing and the gate barrier rises completely.

2. Signal well in advance when making a turn - it can greatly decrease your chances of having a collision
This also includes signaling in advance when making a lane change. Sudden collisions can be avoided when others are able to predict your actions early and vice versa.

3. Certain medications may impair your driving ability; limit your driving if this is the case.
Drugged driving can be just as bad as drinking and texting while driving. If you've taken medication recently such opiate analgesics, be wary of possible impairments. Check the labels on your prescription drugs for any warnings against the operation of vehicles, or any other effects it may have as a result of taking them. An overdose of medication is extremely dangerous and in turn can lead to danger on the road.

4. Obey speed limit and slow down in bad weather, heavy traffic or in a construction zone.
There will be lots of factors that may slow down drivers while commuting, be it rainy weather, blocked roads or traffic jams. But it doesn't mean driving faster is the way to go. Penalties for going over the speed limit can include several demerit points, license suspension, and thousand dollar fines on top of increased dangers.

5. Yield to pedestrians (even in unmarked crosswalks) & the right of way. Let the other go first if in doubt.
It's always good to signal well in advance, but it doesn't give you the right of way. Be patient and look for passing cars and pedestrians first. Always better to be safe than sorry.

As we approach the December holidays, be sure to prepare for the winter and adapt your driving to the weather conditions this season!

Don't forget that Voice on the Go can also help you stay safe and greatly reduce the number of accidents on the road - why not give it a try?

Follow Voice on the Go on Twitter for more tips, news and updates. If you have any driver safety tips, let us know via @Voiceonthego / #VoiceOnTheGo or in a comment and we'll share!

No person shall drive a motor vehicle on a highway if the display screen of a television, computer or other device in the motor vehicle is visible to the driver. ¹

The ban of hand-held devices throughout Ontario was established in 2009. Drivers could face up to a $500 penalty if caught.

A recent poll shows that a large number of drivers are still witnessed using hand-held devices while driving. Well known instances include Mayor Rob Ford's use of his phone in the car over the summer as well as further accusations this fall. Another report by Hands Free Info states that "A year after enforcement of the province’s handheld electronic devices ban, Toronto Police say they’re citing about 40 motorists a day". This year, over 1,600 tickets for distracted driving have been written during the Victoria Day weekend of 2011.

What is the effect of this legislation? Clearly, if drivers are continuing to use their cell phones despite the fines, the dangers and the risks, the law does not prove to be enough. Drivers continue to use their phones, sometimes even below the steering wheel, making it more dangerous than before.

Hands-free devices are still permitted in Ontario and Voice on the Go is the perfect solution. It is an alternative that not only complies with the distracted driving law, but increases driver safety. A one year subscription of voice on the Go could save you from the hundreds of dollars that could be potentially spent on penalties and driving accidents. Get voice on the Go here.

Texting and Driving laws are put in place for good reason. Let's help keep our roads safer and comply with the hands-free law.

Voice on the Go recently started its weekly "Voice on the Go Safety tip Tuesday" on Twitter; every Tuesday, we tweet a new safety tip reminding users to stay safe on the road. Whether it is Tuesday or not, we certainly believe it is important to drive safely every day of the week. Here is a short summary of tips from our recent months.

1. Back to school time! Be extra alert when driving in school zones and exercise caution near school buses.
Late August and early September is the time of year in North America where most children are heading back to school. Over 800,000 children are driven in school buses each school day. Always stop for a school bus that has its upper red lights flashing, and be alert for children at crosswalks. If you witness a car passing a stopped bus with its lights up, report the details of the situation to a police station as soon as possible. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation also provides a resource guide for improving school bus safety.

2. Don't disregard the seat belt, always have it on. You'd be surprised how many people still forget.
While this may seem like one of the most basic rules, a number of individuals still forget or do not bother to buckle up. This is not only against the law in several countries, but greatly increases the chance of injury in crashes. Reminder chimes and lights can be a great help in keeping your seat belt on for every ride. The few seconds it takes to put on a seat belt could possibly save your life.

3. Always check your blind spot when driving!
As well, checking your blind spot can greatly prevent careless mistakes and accidents. Adjust your mirrors accordingly, and look over your shoulder when making lane changes. When backing up, make sure to check behind you for others that might be nearby.

4. By planning your driving route in advance, you can prevent accidents and erratic behaviour.
A lot of times, unplanned or unfamiliar routes could lead to making random and sudden decisions, in turn causing greater likelihood of accidents. When taking a new route for your first time, map out your journey and keep the directions handy. Look over the steps again to better familiarize yourself with the route. Lots of GPS apps are now available to help with this. If you make a wrong turn, pull into a parking area / driveway where you can easily turn back, or check for ongoing traffic and surroundings while making a U-turn (and make sure it is legal to make a U-turn in this area).

5. Driving while stressed can cause a lack of focus. Take a breather before you take off.
It's important to have your mind clear and stress-free while driving. Increased stress may cause road rage or aggressive driving behaviour, and also contributes to distracted driving. If you feel that you are unable to focus on the road, slow down or go for a rest stop. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

6. Keep a clear view when driving; large objects (such as in the back seats) could obstruct your view.
This is also important for checking your blind spot - if you have large objects in the front/back of your seat that may block your mirrors, try fitting it into your trunk or find other alternatives to transport materials.

7. Never use a child's safety seat for your pet; there are other solutions:
Child safety and booster seats are designed specifically for babies and children, and thus should not be used for anyone or anything else. Depending on the pet, there are several travel products to protect your pet, including their own seat belts, restraint systems, and traveling barriers. Pet Auto Safety has a wide variety of products to keep your pet safe and secure on the road.

8. Keep long distance driving in moderation; stop every two hours and rest if you're growing exhausted.
It's important to keep your eyes on the road, but difficult to keep your eyes on the road non-stop, especially during road trips. Driving great distances and for long periods of time can increase fatigue and eventually make you lose focus, causing greater risk or danger for yourself and others. If another driver is in the car, consider taking turns driving every two hours. Otherwise, take a rest stop when necessary.

Don't forget that Voice on the Go can also help you stay safe and greatly reduce the number of accidents on the road - try it now!

Follow Voice on the Go on Twitter for more tips, news and updates. If you have driver safety tips you would like to share, let us know via @Voiceonthego or #VoiceOnTheGo .

Toronto, Ontario, October 4 2011 – Voice on the go Inc announced it will join more than 200 exhibitors at CTIA ENTERPRISE & APPLICATIONS™ 2011. The conference will reflect the evolution and growing use of mobile technology in business, and the expanding market for wireless applications and content in the enterprise. CTIA ENTERPRISE & APPLICATIONS will take place at the San Diego Convention Center, October 11-13, 2011 in California.

Representing one of the fastest-growing segments in wireless, Voice on the Go will exhibit its products and services in booth #426 on the CTIA ENTERPRISE & APPLICATIONS 2011 show floor. Voice on the Go is a world leader in voice solutions that addresses the dangers of texting while driving by providing hands-free mobile applications. With Voice on the Go, drivers can listen, compose, forward and reply to email, compose texts and call contacts – all by voice. Users can also update Facebook and Twitter by voice; and use Bing 411* to find traffic directions and updates, weather, news and sports, stock quotes and more.

Voice on the Go works with all phones on any carrier network and is available in 60 countries in English, French and Spanish, with beta versions in Italian, German and Dutch. Voice on the Go is easy to set up with no voice training and features state-of-the-art voice recognition, voice-to-text and text-to-speech processing.

“CTIA ENTERPRISE & APPLICATIONS 2011 is about bringing together innovators in the wireless industry to show the impact mobility and smart technology decisions have on other businesses,” said Robert Mesirow, vice president and show director, CTIA. “Our exhibitors represent the biggest market movers in the future of mobile technology in the U.S. and around the world. We are proud to have companies, such as Voice on the Go, showcasing their innovations at CTIA ENTERPRISE & APPLICATIONS.”

In addition to the stand-alone company exhibits, the CTIA ENTERPRISE & APPLICATIONS 2011 show floor will feature ten technology pavilions, including: Cloud Computing, Enterprise Lithuania, Hot for the Holidays; Launch Pad; Korea Pavilion; M2M Zone; mCommerce; Mobile Apps; Wireless Dealer Expo; and Wireless Health. For a full exhibitor list and show floor highlights, visit: www.ctiashows.com/exhibits.

To learn more and register for CTIA ENTERPRISE & APPLICATIONS 2011 visit: www.ctiaenterpriseandapps.com. Members of the media may pre-register at: www.ctiashows.com/pressreg.

About CTIA Shows
CTIA Shows bring together all industries advanced by wireless technology for intense business, learning and networking. CTIA ENTERPRISE & APPLICATIONS™ takes place October 11-13, 2011 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. International CTIA WIRELESS® takes place May 8-10, 2012 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Visit www.ctiashows.com.

About Voice on the Go
Voice on the Go is a voice recognition application that provides drivers with the ability to listen to email; compose, reply, forward and delete email by Voice; send text messages by Voice, call their contacts by name; and update Facebook and Twitter by Voice. This allows users to stay productive, keeping their Hands on the Wheel and Eyes on the Road. It works with ALL smartphones and feature phones, and supports English, Spanish, French, with beta versions in Italian, German and Dutch. For more information, visit www.voiceonthego.com.

*BING 411 information is only available in the United States.

Last week, Voice on the Go was mentioned in OfficeTime's blog on weekly time management tips. Read it here!

In many cases, commuting is unavoidable. It is evident that time management is extremely important in our busy days, and while travelling can take up hours of your day, Voice on the Go can increase your productivity. OfficeTime is another application that allows you to stay on task each day, by tracking your time. Time is valuable and we like to make the most of it; this way, even the hours it takes to travel won't feel like a waste.

Independent Review:

http://smallbiztrends.com/2010/02/email-and-sms-by-voice-review-of-voice-on-the-go.html

I have been an active user of Voice On The Go now for three months, since the law came into effect late last year. As I have been getting more used to using my Voice On The Go service, I have found it more preferable to use, even when I am not driving and have the full use of both hands. More and more I am finding the service very easy to use. I simply dial in on my local number, say the contact I want to reach, and the system dials my contact automatically - all handsfree.

It was also fun to use the service in front of a colleague of mine who was riding with me up to the ski hill that day. After I had made the call he just turned and said to me "wow - how did you do that?".

Another bonus to the service, is the free long distance you receive every month. That's right - as part of your 30 day trial, or your subscription to the service, you will receive 100 free minutes of North American long distance every month. This was especially useful, as I was not making any local calls, and the long distance rates on my cell phone are not too reasonable at all. I think I would subscribe to the service for this feature alone.

To experience the same freedom and convenience, go ahead and register for a free trial of the service.

Just follow the link below:

http://www.hands-free-solutions.ca

Here are some easy guidelines to be aware of:

• Cell phones must be accompanied with headsets, speakerphone or bluetooth accessories and / or services which enable hands free dialing

• Audio and GPS devices must be properly secured near or around the dashboard in plane view

• Users are permitted to push a button in order to activate the hands free function of the device

• 911 calls are the only kind permitted without a hands free assisted device or service

With the new law now in effect, Police will now be on the look out for those caught using these devices improperly. Awareness is a good first step to protecting yourself and obeying the law. Next, equip yourself with the proper tools that allow you to communicate safely and within the guidelines of the new law. If you already have a hands free device, than you may want to look into a full hands free solution, like Voice On The Go. The service is 100% compatible with any device and / or network. Simply call into your local access number, and begin dialing by voice, emailing by voice and sending text messages all by voice.

To try the service free for 30 days, go to:

http://www.hands-free-solutions.ca.

Remember to always drive safely and stay alert at all times. Better road safety is everyone's responsibility.

As of today, February 1st, 2010, the law has gone into a new phase, where Police will now begin ticketing anyone caught using a cell phone or handheld device while behind the wheel. The average ticket will be around $150.00, but could reach as high as $500.00.

There is a serious emphasis on this issue, as Toronto has experienced a much higher rate of car related accidents in the first month of 2010.

Many people who spend longer hours behind the wheel of a vehicle, or who drive for a living, are re-visiting the various options available through hands free technology and devices. Many are considering bluetooth devices, which are a great start - but do not completely solve the issue of dialing numbers automatically. Services like voice on the go help to bridge this gap - in allowing users to dial by voice instead of using their hands. Voice On The Go takes productivity even further by allowing users to compose text based messages as well, such as SMS and email messages.

The CBC reported today that since the law first came into effect last October, Police have charged numerous people with distracted driving. They have noticed a decrease in drivers using their cellphones.

With heavy fines now in effect, it is likely that a good majority drivers will resign to not using their phones for the time being while in the car, without some kind of hands free solution. Those who seek to make better use of their time while on the road will learn to appreciate the many  products and services which have responded to the growing trend of hands free legislation that is sweeping across North America.