It is time to outlaw hands-free mobile phone use to end unnecessary carnage and tragedy on Britain’s roads says Transport Select Committee member Daniel Zeichner MP.

The report, “Road Safety: driving while using a mobile phone” published by the Transport Committee (on Tuesday 13 August) says the evidence is clear: using a hands-free mobile phone while driving is dangerous, with potentially catastrophic consequences.

Shock evidence shows that using a hands-free device creates the same risks of crashing as using a handheld device. According to expert witness Dr Shaun Helman being at the UK legal limit for alcohol blood level creates the same amount of distraction as making a hands-free call.

The MPs are calling on the Government to overhaul current laws including a ban on hands-free phones.

In 2017, there were 773 casualties, including 43 deaths and 135 serious injuries, in collisions where a driver using a mobile phone was a factor. The number of people killed or seriously injured on Britain’s roads has risen steadily since 2011.

Daniel Zeichner MP, said:

“Using your phone means your full attention is not on the road – whether it is in your hand or booming round the car via bluetooth. Hands-free is not safe. We need tougher restrictions and more education to make our roads safer. There’s no phone call or text that’s more important than killing or seriously injuring someone.”