Hands-free mobile phones impair driving performance
Wednesday 31 March 2010 Back to Blog
Van leasing drivers should be wary of using hands-free mobile phones behind the wheel following new research.
According to a study from the University of Utah, using a hands-free device reduces driving ability in 97.5 per cent of drivers.
It found that it took drivers 20 per cent longer to hit the brakes when needed and that memory performance declined 11 per cent.
In addition, motorists failed to keep up with traffic, falling behind the car in front by distances of 30 per cent longer than usual.
Commenting on the announcement, Ellen Booth, campaigns officer for road safety charity Brake, called on the government to take action.
"The evidence is overwhelming. Using a hands-free or hand-held phone while driving is dangerous, full stop," she said
"It's time that our politicians took note and put an end to the ridiculous situation where using a hand-held mobile is banned, but using hands-free isn't."
According to Brake, Nearly 80 per cent of crashes and 65 per cent of near-misses involve some form of driver distraction.