Government considers targeting hands-free phone use

By Gareth Roberts
|
30 June 2015

A Government clampdown on the use of hands-free phones while driving could be considered in an effort to improve road safety.

That was the message from the Department for Transport at a debate held at Company Car in Action (CCIA).

Research has shown that using a hands-free phone while driving is more likely to lengthen reaction times than having 80mg of alcohol in the bloodstream – the drink-drive limit in England and Wales.

But while the Government has banned the use of handheld devices, drivers are free to use hands-free phones unless restricted by their employer.

Chris Woodward, strategic engagement manager for new driver policy and road safety strategy at the DfT, said: “It’s certainly something that’s being considered, but no policy direction has been firmly set.”

He added: “The Government that formed in May of this year is looking afresh at how to address road safety issues.

“Strategic direction is being discussed and developed currently, and the Government is looking at occupational road safety within its wider road safety review.”

However, he said that he would welcome the views of fleet decision-makers on what the Government and the DfT could be doing more to help them improve safety.

Ellie Pearson, senior professional engagement officer at Brake, said she would welcome a ban on hands-free phones, because it would take the onus away from fleets. “At present, a complete ban on phone use is fleet safety best practice, but only a small number of fleets take that step,” said Pearson.

“If the law changed to make it a legal requirement, all fleets would have to do it and it would take that responsibility away from the operator.”

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Author: Gareth Roberts

News editor

gareth.roberts@bauermedia.co.uk

01733 468314

Gareth has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist having started his career in local newspapers in the 1990s. Prior to joining Fleet News in 2008, he worked in the public sector as a media advisor and is currently news editor at Fleet News.

Comments (17)

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Comments

Robberg - 30/06/2015 13:34

If they can't get to grips with holding a phone whilst driving how on earth are they going to do this? It will just be more legislation without enforcement to appease the perception not reality brigade.
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Andrew - 30/06/2015 13:35

If the Government and BRAKE are serious about this, Why don't they crack down on people whom still use hand held mobiles rather than pursuing Fleets and company car drivers whom are using a phone legally. Seems more red tape for fleets.
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Nigel Boyle - 30/06/2015 13:38

As with many things in life, when used sensibly and at appropriate times it is not a problem. There is a danger here that high mileage drivers will be on the road for more time as they will have to regularly stop to make and receive calls. For aware drivers hand free phone in not an increased hazard. It is far more distracting to talk to rear seat passengers than on a hands free phone. Human reaction makes you look at people you are talking to and flaying arms distract in mirrors. Will the safety lobbys start calling for a ban on rear seats?
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CB - 30/06/2015 13:45

Absurd. Particularly so for anybody who experienced the same journey as I did this morning - 11 miles and 3 people visibly using mobile phones - 2 held to the ear and another looked like they were texting. Everybody complains that the police aren't around to help, and then the only people who ever spot these people doing illegal acts are cyclists with cameras, and the media crucify them for being vigilantes.
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Kevin - 30/06/2015 13:57

It's the enforcement of these policies that is the real issue. The current legislation is not being enforced by police and any change/upscaling of this is unlikely to make a difference. The only effective way is to employ technology that prevents mobile phone use whilst driving. This exists and is available in the UK for those that are serious about making sure their drivers are not the ones that we all see every day using their phones whilst driving. This technology can also enforce no handsfree use as well if required. Reply to this message if you would like more details.
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Jane Johnson - 30/06/2015 14:13

I go to work most mornings by coach heading towards Blackwall Tunnel there are numerous drivers using there handheld mobiles, texting is also the norm but the best I saw was a lorry driver completing his work sheet resting on the steering wheel as he was driving. You need a few police sitting on these coaches to catch these people.
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DR - 30/06/2015 14:22

Ha, ha what a joke. How about more Police on the roads to enforce the laws we already have in place against mobile use whilst driving. There are people who just blatantly use their handset to phone or text whilst driving. They just don't care because they know the chances of being caught are slim.
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Graham West - 30/06/2015 14:39

Opens up a huge debate doesn't it.....what about SATNAV.....they require input from the driver, and we need to concentrate on what they are saying to us when we are receiving the directions ? Also much harder to police it don't you think..... I was just singing along to my music, or the radio , Officer, honest. I still see loads of people holding the mobile and speaking, never mind texting...that really takes the biscuit! There is no excuse, cars now have sophisticated hands free systems many of which require no contact from the driver as they are voice activated. But in any case a button on the steering wheel to make or answer a call , which means you still have contact with the wheel, has got to be better than the numpties you see holding the phone, or for that matter putting on makeup or reading a book....it's horrendous what you often see out there! More enforcement means more resource and that ain't happening any time soon is it?
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G Ross - 30/06/2015 15:24

They're not able to rule out those who use handheld devices, let alone hands-free. In an ideal world, this policy sounds great, unfortunately we do not live in an ideal world.
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Nick - 30/06/2015 15:40

Would it not benefit society more if resources were directed towards chasing career criminals rather than demonising people who are going to work. The hands free equipment that is currently used is the kit the governments legislated on in the first place. Now people will be fined for using it. Am I missing something or is there something in the water down Westminster way ??????????????????????
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Chris Burley - 30/06/2015 21:12

What next putting on sunglasses, loading a CD,using the indicators.NOT SPEAKING to anyone in the car .Sensibly used its ablessing.You won't be able to call the breakdown/emergency services maybe its better to stand in carriageway and wave your arms
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Lawrence Gladney - 30/06/2015 22:23

I have invested in a completely hands free system,which once the ignition is switched on it is voice activated,it automatically answers calls or rejects them on voice command,it is no different to listening to the car radio,or whistling along to the music,my hands don`t leave the steering wheel and my eyes are on the the road ,it is also no different to what all the emergency forces use,in fact,it maybe safer as the police are often seen using a shoulder mounted radio system which means using your hand to operate the unit,they surely can`t ban the public and not the emergency forces,that would be one law for them and one law for us,it would be nicer instead,if they come down harder on the people who use the mobile whilst driving and leave the sensible ones alone and not tar us all with the same brush ! Thankyou.
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Darren - 01/07/2015 08:39

Well that was like throwing a lit match into a gas filled room! Seriously though, my thoughts echo everyone elses here. They can't enforce the laws that are already in place, throwing new laws at a problem no ones really complained about isn't going to change anything. How can the police tell the difference between someone using hands free kit or someone singing to their radio/talking to a passenger etc. There will be a lot of police requests for phone records to prove whether someone was on a call or not, what a waste of time and money!
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Jeremy Whittaker - 01/07/2015 09:14

Until vehicle manufacturers remove the built in functionality of taking and making mobile calls in their vehicles it will be an uphill struggle to have compliance with any legislation. As they still produce vehicles which exceed most national speed limits which were set in the 1970's by anything from 30 mph to 80 mph xs the hopes of that occurring anytime soon are remote in my view .Killing people whilst driving needs to have punitive sentencing applied equal to murder to have any real impact on driver behaviour and public perception in the short term.
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john - 01/07/2015 11:38

if hands free was to be banned, then vehicles shouldn't be manufactured with blue tooth. we as a company do not allow any use of phone by means of hands free or Bluetooth. there is so many other things within the car what also causes distraction. there need to be more checks carried out by the police and heavier fines penalties imposed .
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Stephen Oldham - 01/07/2015 20:12

It is quite strange that the DfT are looking at more legislation about mobile phones when the situation seems to be getting better, not worse. As solicitors we are seeing fewer and fewer convictions or fixed penalties for mobile phone use than we were a few years ago. The dreaded CU80 endorsement is still around but it is getting rarer as cars are fitted with decent hands free systems. Of course you still see people using their phones all the time just like you see people speeding every day of the week. Making a new law doesn't stop a particular type of behaviour. (Burglary has been illegal for centuries but it still goes on!) Education is the real answer. No sensible person could claim that using a phone, hands free or not, isn't distracting. But will a new law really make any difference?
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Joe Stambaugh - 05/07/2015 11:10

Next no more radio to listen to (stats show numerous crashes involving death), no talking to passenger (stats show numerous crashes due to conversations), no more anything but to have blinders on. Also, do not roll down your window, air noise is distracting and Bugs may fly in. Whoops, no chewing gum, also distracting. I believe that the only safe way to prevent accidents, is to sit there and focus on driving. So if you get bored and tired you can fall asleep while driving. (Stats show numerous crashes due to falling asleep at the steering wheel) Educating and practice safe driving will reduce crashes. Common sense, should kick in and conversations will be shorten when using hand free cellular usage. Next it will be...
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