Industry News from Yes Insurance

Commercial vehicle giant Ford has announced that it is to provide Bluetooth hands-free technology on almost all of its latest range of vehicles in a bid to make driving vans safer.

Road safety charity Brake reported last week that 34 per cent of motorists had admitted to using their handheld mobile phone whilst driving, a practice which has been illegal for over three years.

Ford understands that for many commercial drivers, keeping in touch with base is essential, which is why it is offering the latest in hands-free technology to aid its drivers to communicate safely.

Automatically-activated Bluetooth technology now covers almost its entire range of vehicles including the 2007 International Van of the Year, the Ford Transit.

By making driving commercial vehicles safer, it is hoped that the Bluetooth technology will help lessen the number of accidents on the highways which in turn could lower the cost of van insurance for careful motorists.

Roelant de Waard, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said: "This research data highlights [the fact] that Bluetooth is both an effective road safety technology and one that helps to prevent our customers from breaking the law.

"Working alongside Bluetooth, voice-activation also enables Ford drivers to give spoken instructions to perform a number of different functions in the car, which means less distraction for drivers on today's busy roads."