Company News from yesinsurance
17 March 2009 Ban Young Drivers From Using Hands-Free Phones, Says Insurer
Teenagers in the UK who use hands-free mobile phones whilst driving are taking risks that equal those of drink-driving, according to motor insurer yesinsurance.co.uk .
The insurer says that the current law relating to driving and mobile phone usage should be amended to include a ban on using hands-free phones for drivers aged under 20.
“There is a growing body of research that indicates that drinking alcohol and using a hands-free mobile phone carry similar levels of risk to drivers,” says Paul Purdy of yesinsurance.co.uk.
“Worldwide, road traffic accidents are the leading cause of death among 15-19 year olds. Extending the drink-driving laws to cover all mobile phone usage for younger drivers will help us to reduce this risk,” he said.
Research conducted at the University of Sydney’s Injury Prevention and Trauma Care Division indicates that people who use their mobile phones whilst driving – including people using hands-free devices – are four times more likely to crash.
In the UK, research conducted at the Transport Research Laboratory has found that drivers talking on both hand-held and hands-free mobile phones have on average 30 per cent slower reaction times than those who have been drinking, and 50 per cent slower times than sober drivers.
Similar results were found during tests which were undertaken at the University of Utah in the United States, comparing use of hands-free phones and drinking at the UK limit.
Hands-free phones are not currently prohibited in the UK, but legal action can still be taken against drivers who have been using them, if it is believed that this has been a contributory factor in an accident.
yesinsurance.co.uk says that most of the UK’s 33 million registered drivers now have a mobile phone and many of them use it whilst driving – either legally using a hands-free kit, or illegally by holding the phone in their hand. Research studies indicate that around 24% of UK drivers occasionally use the phone whilst driving.
