A group of MPs has suggested that drivers could be banned from using hands-free mobile phones in England and Wales.
Using hand held phones whilst driving is already banned with a maximum punishment of six penalty points and a £200 fine. However, MPs in the Commons transport select committee say hands free versions can also be dangerous.
The committee said the law gives the “misleading impression” that hands-free mobiles are safe while driving despite the fact that they can create “the same risks of a collision”.
A public consultation on the proposal to ban hands free devices should be published by the end of 2019. The ban would only apply to England and Wales, as the issue is devolved in Scotland.
Joshua Harris, of road safety charity Brake, said: “One moment’s distraction from a phone can cause a lifetime of suffering so our advice to drivers is simple – when you’re driving, make sure your phone is on silent and placed out of sight and out of reach,”
In 2017, there were 773 casualties on Britain’s roads including 43 deaths and 135 serious injuries, these crashes involved a driver using any kind of mobile phone.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: “While mobile phones are a vital part of modern life and business, drivers must always use them safely and responsibly.
“Being distracted by a mobile phone while driving is dangerous and puts people’s lives at risk. The law is clear that anyone driving dangerously is committing a criminal offence.”
Labour MP Lilian Greenwood, who chairs the committee, said: “If mobile phone use while driving is to become as socially unacceptable as drink-driving, much more effort needs to go into educating drivers about the risks and consequences of using a phone behind the wheel.
“Offenders also need to know there is a credible risk of being caught, and that there are serious consequences for being caught.
“There is also a misleading impression that hands-free use is safe. The reality is that any use of a phone distracts from a driver’s ability to pay full attention and the government should consider extending the ban to reflect this.”
RAC head of roads policy Nicholas Lyes said: “We support the committee’s call for the government to look more closely at the effectiveness of the increase of the penalties in 2017, and key to this is whether enforcement is adequate and whether the police have sufficient resources and technology to be able to crack down on this scourge.”
