A leading safety expert has joined the fray over the use of hands-free mobile phones behind the wheel with a warning that they are just the ‘thin end of the wedge’ in the battle for improved safety on the road.

Fleets need to review their entire approach to the concept of the mobile office, from phones to modern satellite navigation systems and even in-car entertainment, according to Dr Graham Hole, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Sussex.

The warning comes amid mounting calls for a complete ban on the use of hands-free phones in cars, after research published in the last issue of Fleet News revealed it was detrimental to the performance of 97.5% of drivers.

Dr Hole said: “I am not a luddite, nor am I against technology for the sake of it. But there is a problem with mobile communications. There is not a single study that shows a difference between hand-held and hands-free phones when it comes to distractions in vehicles.

“The problem is in-vehicle distraction will get much worse. Mobile phones are the thin end of the wedge as far as in-car distractions are concerned. Mobile texting and email are bad news when it comes to safety.

“The simple alternative is to ban the distractions from vehicles. Prohibit use, explain why, discipline those who break the rules and try to remove the need for these devices.”

Dr Hole was speaking at a seminar organised by the Institute of Advanced Motorists to mark the merger of its two commercial businesses, IAM Fleet and Drive & Survive.

Up until the re-brand, Drive & Survive and IAM Fleet were two of the most prominent occupational driver training organisations in the UK, and were owned and managed by the IAM, the UK’s largest independent road safety charity.

Dr Hole added: “With the advent of the latest generation of smartphones, computing has finally become truly mobile: the obvious temptation is to use these applications while driving.

“Employers have an obligation to society to ensure that their employees' working conditions are such that they can perform their jobs without recourse to using a phone while driving.”

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