Nothing has changed the face of the way we communicate quite like the cell phone.

But while they are convenient, using cell phones while driving can be hazardous. Rarely a week goes by without some report of accidents caused by inattentive cell phone users. Distraction is the No. 1 cause of accidents in the U.S.

The American Automobile Association offers these tips for those who must drive and converse, and we urge people to follow them:

– Make sure your phone is mounted where you can easily reach it while driving. The phone should be within comfortable reach in your usual driving position and as close as possible to your line of vision.

– Know all the operations of your cellular phone and learn to use it without looking.

– Keep your attention on the road by programming frequently called numbers into the phone&8217;s memory to minimize dialing.

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Dial sensibly. Wait for a stoplight, pull off the road to dial or ask a passenger to dial for you.

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Don&8217;t use your cellular phone in distracting traffic situations. Pull off the road to make a call.

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Be careful about where you stop to make calls.

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When calling 9-1-1 to report an emergency, be prepared to provide the closest major cross streets or off-ramps, and know your cellular phone number.

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Use your voice mail to take calls or leave yourself messages. Never take notes while driving.

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Disconnect your cellular phone when using jumper cables; the power surge could burn out your phone.

A few states, Minnesota among them, actually regulate cell phone use &8212; and with good reason. Minnesota requires police to include cell phone information in accident reports. And the use of cell phones is prohibited by drivers with

provisional licenses in our state.

Having a cell phone can be a great convenience. But using one while driving is rarely a good idea. Please use common sense and don&8217;t be driven to distraction.