HL Deb 07 March 2002 vol 632 cc36-7WA
Baroness Hayman

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What routine information is collected after a road traffic accident to determine whether mobile phone usage featured in the circumstances of the accident. [HL2979]

The Minister of State, Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)

The data on road traffic accidents involving personal injury are collected on a voluntary basis using the STATS 19 form. The data collection system is reviewed regularly and the review team is currently considering the issue of collecting data on mobile phone usage in connection with a long-standing proposal to collect information on contributory factors to supplement the more objective data already collected. Agreement on any such changes to the existing data collection system should he reached by early next year.

Baroness Hayman

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What assessment has been made of the incidence of mobile phone usage while driving in the United Kingdom. [HL2980]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

Three observational surveys of mobile phone use by people while driving have been carried out for the department by TRL Limited. The latest survey, carried out in October 2001, showed that 2 per cent of the 27,900 drivers observed were using a mobile phone; 85 per cent of the phones observed in use were hand-held. The surveys are undertaken at road junctions at the same time as regular seat belt wearing surveys and may not be representative of the extent of mobile phone use by drivers on all roads. Consideration is therefore being given to the need for further surveys to monitor the position.

Baroness Hayman

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What specific research is being undertaken by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on the potential role of mobile phone usage in the causation of road traffic accidents. [HL2981]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

There is clear evidence of an increased risk of an accident when using any type of mobile phone while driving. Detailed investigation is needed to establish the cause of any accident. Two research projects currently under way will help to establish the likely numbers of road traffic accidents involving mobile phones. One project involves carrying out in-depth analysis of police fatal road accident reports that identify distraction as a possible contributory factor. The other involves on-the-spot studies of accidents in order to improve the understanding of the influences of human involvement, vehicle and highway design on accident causation and injury mechanisms.