Call for total ban on use of mobile phones while driving

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents has called on the next government to ban the use of mobile phones while driving, even when used completely "hands-free". Motoring organisations have reacted by describing such a ban as "unrealistic" and "unworkable".

The move by the RoSPA follows a meeting of their national road safety committee yesterday morning and two recent court cases involving the use of mobile phones by motorists.

"We are saying that calls should not be made or received on the move," said John Howard, RoSPA's director of safety, "and we plan to take this forward with the police and the government".

The committee members, who are drawn from the Department of Transport, road safety groups, the motoring industry and the Association of Chief Police Officers, will also encourage the police to take stronger action against drivers who use phones. ACPO have said they are "broadly supportive" of the policy, but the RAC said last night it was unrealistic to call for a blanket ban on all mobile phones in cars.

The police cannot currently charge someone for using a mobile phone behind the wheel, instead they must prove a motorist is driving carelessly or dangerously or that they were not in a position to control the vehicle.