Esure says 41% want hands-free mobile phone kits banned
Esure claims 41% of motorists think hands-free mobile phone kits should be banned, 71% think that they are a distraction to the driver and 48% say they needlessly put safety at risk.
It said 2,986 motorists were prosecuted in 2007 in England and Wales for failing to have proper control of their vehicle while being distracted by hands-free phone calls.
The Fly Research survey also found 80% of motorists agree that careless driving should result in a fine and on the spot penalty points - a subject that is currently the focus of a Department of Transport consultation paper.
Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure car insurance, said: "Although the use of hands-free kits is legal, motorists should always ensure that they pay full attention to the road as opposed to a phone conversation. Any distraction that may compromise the concentration of motorists should be avoided as motorists need to have full control of their vehicle at all times.
Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "Using a hands-free phone while driving is just as dangerous as using a hand-held phone because of the mental distraction caused by the telephone conversation. RoSPA has always said that the use of hands-free phone kits while driving should have been made illegal at the same time as hand-held phones were. We urge employers in particular to ensure their employees do not use any type of mobile phone when they are driving for work."
