Banning phones in cars altogether may be
the best way to avoid driver distraction.
Image: iStockphoto

A law passed in New Zealand that only allows mobile phones to be used in cars with a hands-free kit or phone cradle may not significantly improve driver attentiveness, according to research.

The new law, which became affective on 1 November, is hoped to reduce the number of accidents on the road, however research has revealed that hands-free calls are almost as distracting as regular phone use.

"Research I have undertaken has shown that the use of a hand held mobile phone whilst driving increases the risk of crashing 4-fold whilst the use of hands-free mobile phone use whilst driving increases the risk 3.8-fold," said Professor Mark Stevenson from the George Institute for International Health, who completed research on driver distraction in 2005.

He added that the risk of crashing while using a mobile phone is increased regardless of age or sex.

“Driver distraction – in which mobile phone use is one of the leading distractions – contributes to an estimated 23 per cent of crashes."

According to Professor Stevenson the new law will be helpful, but more could be done to keep the roads safe.

"As the evidence also highlights hands-free as a significant risk, a total ban on mobile use is justified. A total ban on mobile phone use for provisional drivers (P-plate or novice drivers) is currently in place in a number of states in Australia,” he said.

Despite new technology appearing on the market, Professor Stevenson believes there is no substitute for avoiding the phone altogether.

“More and more new vehicles are being equipped with Bluetooth technology, facilitating voice activation and therefore totally hands-free phone use. Though this may lead to fewer hand held phones used while driving in the future, our research indicates that this may not remove the risk. Importantly, if this new technology actually increases mobile phone use in cars, it could contribute to even more crashes.”