A REPORT into driver awareness and concentration has provided further damning evidence that company drivers are playing a potentially fatal game of chance by using mobile phones on the move.

The study, conducted at the University of Utah, found that its 64 participants' reaction times to signs and lights were 'significantly slower' when chatting on phones - even with hands-free kits - than when listening and changing radio stations.

With responsiveness equally sluggish for whichever way the phone is used, the report concluded that the active engagement in conversation was diverting drivers' attention with alarming effectiveness: participants missed twice as many simulated traffic signals during the test while on the phone. The report's authors claimed that previous research had found that conversations with passengers did not have the same disruptive effect.

That mobile phones are a menace when used on the road is now considered fact, with many studies and the experiences of fleet managers and the police proving the case.

Last year, Permabond Europe conducted tests on its drivers and found nearly 100% drove slower, often could not answer the questions asked of them on the move and had more incidents - such as hitting bollards or driving into roundabouts - on its specially devised test course. The firm decided on a complete ban on phone usage while driving.