Car Finance Expert, Graham Hill, Explains Demands For Total Mobile Phone Ban Whilst Driving

Wednesday, 21. April 2010

There is pressure mounting to introduce a total ban on mobile phones whilst driving. Latest research shows that even drivers using a hands free phone took 20% longer to hit the brakes in an emergency when on the phone. Following distances increased by 30% as drivers failed to keep up with traffic in front and memory performance fell by 11%. The study was carried out by the University of Utah. Road charity, BRAKE have supported the proposal calling the situation ridiculous when hand held phones are illegal but hands free phones are still legal. Department for Transport ruled out a review last year even after TRL found that driving whilst talking on a hands free phone was likely to lengthen reaction times beyond that of having over 80mg of alcohol in the bloodstream. Kevin Clinton of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents pressed home the point also urging companies to introduce an ‘engine on phone off’ policy saying that ‘No phone call is worth a life.’ Whilst many large companies have now introduced a total ban the Government doesn’t seem to want to do anything. I feel that if they are going to consider this they must first get to grips with those that drive around roundabouts with one hand on the wheel and the other holding a phone to their ear whilst changing gear with – who knows what? By Graham Hill