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Mobile phones and health: an interim report

February 2002

Cars and road safety
Of all the aspects of mobile phones and health that were examined by the Stewart Group, the only one that resulted in conclusive evidence of a substantiated risk was an increased incidence of motor vehicle accidents when drivers use mobile phones.

The evidence
There is strong experimental evidence that those engaging in mobile phone conversation have an impaired ability to react to potentially hazardous situations.(36, 37) Epidemiological studies have also indicated an association between phone conversation whilst driving and an increase in the risk of involvement in an accident, although causality cannot be attributed.(38, 39) This finding appears to be unaffected by whether a hands-free kit (HFK) is used or not. For this reason, the Stewart Group concluded that the effect is most likely to be due to the distracting nature of the conversation, and drivers should be dissuaded from using either hand-held or hands-free phones while on the move.

The law
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA),(40) there have been at least 14 deaths on Britain’s roads since 1994 where mobile phone use has been implicated. There may be many more, but precise figures are impossible to obtain since use of a mobile phone while driving is not a specific offence, but rather is incorporated into other offences such as causing death by dangerous driving, careless or inconsiderate driving, and not having proper control of the vehicle. If the use of a mobile phone causes careless or dangerous driving then prosecution may result, ranging from an unlimited fine and disqualification, and up to two years imprisonment.(41) Currently the police are happy with their powers of prosecution, but if drivers continue to use their phones, the Government will review whether specific legislation is necessary.

In early 2000 the DETR(41) launched a national campaign against the use of a hand-held phone whilst driving, and again in December 2000 in its “Think!” campaign.(42) Advice included:

• Never use a hand-held phone while driving;
• It is safer not to use a hands-free phone while driving…If you have to receive a call, say that you are driving and keep the conversation brief;
• Use a message service and take regular breaks.

However, in light of the above evidence, it might be advisable for the DETR to revisit its campaign and alter its guidance about hands-free phones so that it is in line with that for hand-held phones, that is, “Never use a hands-free phone while driving”. The Highway Code now contains guidance on mobile phone use in vehicles: “You MUST exercise proper control of your vehicle at all times. Never use a hand-held phone or microphone when driving. Using hands-free equipment is also likely to distract your attention from the road. It is safer not to use any telephone while you are driving – find a safe place to stop first”. This guidance could also be adjusted accordingly.

Potential risks for other road users
Cyclists and pedestrians may also be at risk of an increased involvement in accidents, either through using a mobile phone themselves, or as a result of their use by drivers of motor vehicles. However, there are no figures available to date which record such information, and this is an area where research is needed.