51% of the British public say thatm, while it should be illegal to use a mobile phone you have to hold while driving, it should not be illegal to use a hands-free
This week is National Road Safety Week, and its coordinating charity Brake has called for a ban on the use of hands-free phones while driving, alongside the now 10-year old ban on phones you have to hold. They cite research suggesting 98% of motorists are unable to divide their time between driving and talking on the phone, even when on hands-free, and doing so increases the risk of crashing.
While most of the public disapprove of a ban, a significant minority support it.
51% of the public say that while it should be illegal to use a mobile phone you have to hold while driving, it should be legal to use a hands-free phone. And another 4% oppose any ban, saying that any sort of mobile should be legal to use while driving. Still, 40% think it should be illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, even it is a hands-free phone.
Those perhaps better acquainted with mobile phone technology, young people, are least supportive of a ban on hands-free phones. Only 30% of 18-24 year olds and 32% of 25-39 would support one; that compares to 41% and 51% of 40-59 year olds and those over 60.
The charity are also calling for the penalty for calling or texting behind the wheel to be increased from £100 to between £500 and £1,000. The government have said they are not looking to ban hands-free kits.
Image: Getty
