Hands-Free Phones
The Department for Transport has ruled out a review of the law regarding the use of hands-free mobile phones while driving. This is despite research findings that using a hands-free mobile phone while driving is more likely to lengthen reaction times than having the current legal limit of 80mg of alcohol in the bloodstream. Research shows drivers on hands-free phones take 20% longer to hit the brakes making drivers four times more likely to have an accident, even if they are using a hands-free kit.
Although the use of hand-held phones while driving is illegal, talking on a hands-free set is not. Drivers can, however, be prosecuted if they drive dangerously whilst distracted by a hands-free call. Many fleets have already banned hands-free phones while driving. Some businesses have already imposed their own bans on employees making any sort of phone call whilst driving on company business because of the dangers of doing so. This is just one of the many areas of driving for business which must by law be covered in a stringent health & safety at work policy to include the use of both company and privately owned vehicles.
