§ Lord Jacobsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Having regard to the fact that all mobile phones used in cars can be fitted with hands-free devices, what steps they propose to take to legislate against the use of hand-held mobile telephones while driving, thus ending the current practice of relying wholly on prosecutions for driving without due care and attention. [HL2757]
§ Baroness HaymanExisting road traffic legislation places the responsibility on drivers to have proper control of their vehicles at all times. Any motorist who fails to do so, for whatever reason, is liable to prosecution.
Drivers may be charged with failing to exercise proper control of a vehicle, or either careless and inconsiderate driving or dangerous driving, if using a mobile phone causes them to drive in such a manner. The Association of Chief Police Officers considers that existing legislation is sufficient for the police to deal with cases arising from the use of a mobile phone while driving.
A review of the evidence currently available about the use of mobile phones while driving indicates that there is even an association between hands-free telephone use and increased accident risk. The publicity campaign I launched on 16 March aims to educate drivers about the problems and dangers of using any type of mobile phone while on the move.