If you drive using a mobile phone you are four times more likely to crash, than someone not using a phone.
Using a mobile phone while driving reduces your ability to react and distracts your concentration. This applies equally to conversations on hand-held and hands-free phones.
Some studies have shown that using a mobile phone while driving can affect your ability as much as being over the drink-drive limit.
Having a mobile phone conversation increases drivers' mental workload and stress levels.
Using a mobile phone while driving affects your ability to:
- stay in lane
- keep to a steady speed
- keep to the speed limit
- stay a safe distance from the vehicle in front
Using a mobile phone while driving also affects your:
- reaction times
- judgement of safe gaps
- general awareness of other traffic
Research shows using a mobile phone while driving can lead to more aggressive driving behaviour.
Hands-free mobile calls still affect your driving ability; reducing awareness and increasing reaction times.
You can still be prosecuted for dangerous driving when using a hands-free mobile phone.