Hands-free phone 'as dangerous as drink-driving'

August 06, 2006

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TALKING on a hands-free mobile phone while at the wheel could be as dangerous as drink-driving, according to new research.

A university study found that people are as impaired when they drive and talk on a mobile as they are when motoring while over the legal alcohol limit.

The study follows other research that shows that drivers' ability can also suffer from in-car gadgets such as satellite navigation systems.

The study was carried out by the University of Utah in the USA.

For the study, 40 participants drove a driving simulator four times - once while not distracted, once using a mobile phone, once using a hands-free phone, and while intoxicated after drinking vodka and orange juice.

They followed a simulated "pace" car that braked intermittently. The researchers found that both hand-held and hands-free phones impaired driving, with no significant difference in the degree of impairment recorded.

The study found that compared with drivers who were not distracted, those who talked on either hand-held or hands-free phones drove slightly slower and were nine per cent slower to hit the brakes.

Meanwhile, a recent survey by www.motorinsurance.co.uk showed that nearly three-quarters of motorists believe in-car gadgets are potentially dangerous if drivers take their eyes off the road to use them and 81% of those asked said drivers should be required to pull over to use them.

Eddie Barnaville, general manager of the Diamond Advanced Motorists organisation, said: "The fact that 3,500 people are killed on our roads each year shows that motorists simply aren't paying enough attention.

"Satellite navigation systems and hands-free mobile phone kits are all great technological advances, but sadly they do cause distractions for motorists.

"The research carried out by Utah university is the chilling reality of the danger modern technology poses to drivers. Motorists should always stop in a safe place to use their mobile phone or satellite navigation system."

Should all phones be banned from cars? Have your say.

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Driver, Swinton (06/08/2006 at 10:50)

I regularly see two of my neighbours driving with a phone clasped to their ear, and as they negotiate the corner into our street, you can really see how it impairs them, as opposed to when they drive in normally, as they struggle to turn the steering wheel one handed. I'm not sure that a hands free phone is as dangerous, this is something I don't actually have. Personally I pull up at the side of the road if I can if my phone rings, I can't afford a fine and maybe points on my licence, or God forbid, I hurt a pedestrian.

dave, Carnoustie Scotland (06/08/2006 at 10:57)

Not a cat in hells chance of any sort of law or road traffic regulation to prevent drivers using mobiles/satnavs. I agree with the study though, there are enough distractions on the roads as it is. Drivers need 100% concentration, and anything that takes concentration away has to be dangerious. How would the police, who use of mobiles/radios whilst driving, be affected by any ban.

Paul, urmston (06/08/2006 at 12:10)

I do believe that they should as I was almost involved in an accident last week with a woman driving with a bluetooth headset on. It was so obvious that she was too interested talking and was not aware what was going on. I have used my own phone on speaker and for some reason you concentrate on the conversation more than if you are talking to someone in the passenger seat. I am not sure a ban would do anything thopugh as I constantly see people talking on their mobiles even though there is a fine and 3 points penalty.

steve, salford (06/08/2006 at 12:41)

I find this very hard to believe.No i don't mobile phones should be banned from cars.

ace riley, manchester (06/08/2006 at 12:55)

How can the police enforce the law "We dont see enough of them" Only when they do a purge of one type or another do we see the police on our roads?.
Its time that we have more visible police on our roads and streets .I see dozens of people using phones every day infact ive just come back from shopping locally and ive seen four women "trying to drive and use the phone" They hold the phone with their left hand and change gear with their right hand,so for a second or so they are out of control? These people must be "Numbheads" and stupid ? WE HAVE HANDS FREE EQUIPMENT and it costs very little "Total disreguard for the law and motorists."

01617469524, Manchester (06/08/2006 at 16:40)

Are we going to ban passengers next or tell them they cannot speak until we stop. I notice that councils are doing more advertising on roundabouts and dual carriageways but as this earns more money I suppose this will carry on even though this is a big distraction.

Sue, Salford (06/08/2006 at 17:37)

It should be made illegal for the driver of any motor vehicle to use any kind of phone, whilst the vehicle engine is switched on.

The number of people one still sees, driving with one hand whilst holding a mobile to their ear is unbelievable. Even more unbelievable is the fact that a police car can drive past these people, in the next lane, and do absolutely nothing at all.

People who use hands-free phones are just as dangerous. They seem to be more interested in their conversations than the state of the road around them.

For once, can a British Goverment be sensible enough and 'man' enough to do something about mobile phones and ban their use to the drivers of motor vehicles.

PS. They should also bring in large fines for pedestrians who are so intent on their conversations that they don't pay attention to the road and step out in front of motor vehicles that have right of way!

Henry Piggot-Smythe, Prestbury, Cheshire (06/08/2006 at 17:46)

We've all known for years that the so called "White Van Man" is notoriously one of the worse drivers on Britain's roads due to any lack of formal education which forces them to work in this lowest form of the transport industry yet these individuals are one of the worst offenders in relation to this crime. If they couldn't sit at a desk in a quite classroom & grasp the principles of algebra & the Queen's English what chance have they got being able to concentrate on the traffic conditions around them with a blasted mobile telephone stuck to their grubby ear where some equally uneducated oaf in a seedy back street office is bellowing out delivery & pick up instructions at them hoping to be heard over the thumping pop music which is blasting out from the van. One of these oafs killed one of my peacocks doing this exact thing whilst driving from my grounds & if I had my way he would now be serving a mandatory prison sentence which should have been instituted upon the countries law books instead of the measly thirty pound fine this offence now attracts whilst committing it on the public highways. A spell in prison for offenders with their vehicles impounded crushed would soon bring an end to this menace. Even if they didn't get prison sentences it would force them to wander aimlessly around their council estates, mobile telephones stuck to grubby ears voting for the latest "X" television "celebrity" the television companies thrust upon the screens in their quest for "White Van Man's" & his ilk's cash who reside in similar surroundings & areas.

Mrs V Angry, Manchester (06/08/2006 at 18:16)

What is the use of carrying out this research or writing about it unless the authorities are prepared to actually enforce any bans? Twice this week I've moved over to get behind drivers who were using their mobiles whilst driving at 70 mph on a crowded motorway. The first was a van driver who was actually texting, the second was a woman in her thirties with an obviously thrilling social life. Both sad, mad and bad people who I preferred NOT to have anywhere near me.

moselmeister, hadfield (06/08/2006 at 18:36)

I have got to agree with the danger posed by drivers using mobiles whilst driving.
It seems to me that this is too regular of an occurence that people do not want to take responsibility for.
I saw one young girl on my way to work on Friday, who had a cigarette in one hand and using a mobile with the other in slow traffic and almost hit the driver in front. I went past shook my head at her and i got abused.

Chris, Sharston (06/08/2006 at 21:59)

Travelling on the M6 Northbound this morning I passed a stupid woman driving in the middle lane signalling right but with no intention of moving out...as I passed her guess what?....she was texting on her phone. If you're reading this Blondie with your white 04 reg White Astra Hatchback....you're a liability and should not be on the road !!
However, I have a Bluetooth headset and find my driving is not affected in anyway when I use it, simply because I make sure my concentration levels stay the same whilst speaking whereas some people can not handle doing two things at once it seems - this country !!
I also find the Bluetooth headset handy for talking whilst:
Decorating
Washing the car
Washing up
Playing Football
Making cheese on toast

DD, here (06/08/2006 at 23:43)

personally Im fed up of such campaigns and the persistant pursuit of public liberty in the pseudo guise of 'safety' or the 'environment'.

If I or anyone else crashes and we were on the phone the police will prosecute etc.

IF you ban phones then whats next? radios because singing in the car decreases concentration by 2%, or maybe banning women with PMT because they drive 5% more aggresively? or maybe enforcing compulory zips on mouths to enforce no drinking or eating whilst driving.

Gregory happy, manchester (07/08/2006 at 07:44)

I see people using phones while driving all te time - mainly taxi drivers and truck drivers. Sometime soon a child will be killed then there will be a media uproar. too late my friends to late

Colin W, Stockholm (07/08/2006 at 07:56)

As a worker in the mobile industry it is so simple to prevent mobiles working when there is movement.

David C, City Centre (07/08/2006 at 09:30)

I would definitely agree that using a phone even hands free affects ones driving. Next time you are on the motorway and following a vehicle that keeps slowing down and speeding up you can guarantee that the driver will be on the phone. Such is the level of distraction that even construction sites ban the use of mobiles unless the person using them stands still and does not wander blindly around. You have to be very na??ve to believe that using a phone within a vehicle even if it is hands free, is no different to speaking to your passenger. There are many reasons for this such as the person on the end of the line will be unaware when you enter a higher risk area and is unlikely to temporarily shut up to allow you to concentrate fully on your driving.

DM, Manchester (07/08/2006 at 11:11)

I agree with Chris - perhaps you could be allowed to use certain things while driving if subjected to some sort of intelligence test? Some people just seem to be a bit stupid - i think that is one of the biggest dangers on the road: people who are a bit slow-minded.

Mrs V Angry, Manchester (07/08/2006 at 13:28)

Just saw a Stagecoach bus driver wearing his Bluetooth earpiece - whilst driving his bus.

joe, radcliffe (07/08/2006 at 13:52)

I have done a bit of research into this and would put the following theory forward

You are talking to a passenger in your car the passenger is looking at the same bit of road that you are looking at

On the approach to a situation your passenger will stop or slow down the talking as he or she has seen the situation ahead

Now on a mobile the person you are talking to cant see the situation and keeps talking at the same rate hence you try to take in the conversation whilst trying to deal with the traffic situation

Can I have a government grant to check this theory out

terry, tyldesley (07/08/2006 at 15:44)

I have a built in mobile phone in my car and believe that it does affect my driving so I try not to use it to much, I too have seen people with phones in there hands whist driving (and it always seems to be the people who have spent thousands on a new car but cant spend the extra on hands free) we should also ban smoking whist driving as you need two hands on the wheel.

Jake Long, Manchester, City Centre (07/08/2006 at 16:42)

Ban it, ban it, ban it, ban it, ban it, ban it, ban it. - But only ban it if I don't do it!...... Please, chage the record. First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.

Woman, Manchester (07/08/2006 at 21:35)

Why are so many people calling women drivers for using a mobile phone and driving when men are just as bad if not worse! I thought women were supposed to be able to 'multi-take' or is that just an excuse for lazy men?

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