HC Deb 20 November 1997 vol 301 cc305-6W
Dr. Gibson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the research evidence relating to the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving. [17292]

Ms Glenda Jackson

There has been much concern both in this country and elsewhere in the world about the road safety implications of using mobile phones while driving. My noble friend, the Minister for Roads therefore asked the Transport Research Laboratory to review the evidence currently available and the report it has prepared is being published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.

The report concludes that the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving is widely regarded as unsafe. Most safety researchers regard this as so self-evident that there have been few specific studies. Hands-free phones have received the greatest attention and the debate in the research community centres on the extent to which hands-free conversations impact on driving performance. Studies suggest that the distraction effect of phones reduces as they are made easier to use. However, the distraction caused by the mental effort of telephone conversation is present, even with advanced devices.

Manual dialling and intense telephone conversations have been shown to cause considerable distraction and it is thought that this may impact on safety. Although the evidence is largely circumstantial, it all points in the same direction—there is an association between telephone

Scotland and Wales will, however, continue to report and remain committed to further reductions in the number of empty properties they own.

use and increased accident risk. Furthermore, there is evidence that phone conversations are more stressful than equivalent conversations with passengers.

The results of this research are reflected in the revised draft of the Highway Code on which public comment was invited last week and which we hope to put before Parliament next year. It is also reflected in the draft Code of Practice on the use of mobile phones in vehicles, which is currently being discussed with the mobile phone companies and motoring interests.