Latest mobile phone rules don’t go far enough to tackle other distractions, according to experts

New rules on the use of mobile phones while driving do not go far enough, and have been dubbed a “missed opportunity”, by some road safety experts.

While the government has announced that the use of hand-held devices will be illegal under virtually any circumstance while driving, hands-free calls will still be allowed and there is no solution to the issues related to distracted driving caused by infotainment systems.

Fleet risk director at Driive Consulting and former fleet manager, Alison Moriarty, said: “While I welcome any changes that reduce distractions to drivers caused by mobile phone use, the proposal does not go far enough.

“It is proven that the physical effects of holding a device are not as much an impairment to concentration as the mental distraction of holding a conversation and this is the same when using hands-free.

“In fact, you are four times more likely to be involved in a collision, resulting in injury, if you are on a call including using hands-free options.”

Transport Research Laboratory chief scientist for behavioural and data sciences, Shaun Helman, said he was glad to see legislation being updated, but believes it might be construed negatively as the focus remained on hand-held devices.

“It reinforces the myth, that’s the most important thing,” he said.

There are four types of distraction: manual, visual, auditory and cognitive. Helman explained: “What this law still does is focus on just one of those.

“In that sense, it’s a missed opportunity and it’s maintaining this flawed narrative that, as long as you’re not holding something, you’re safe.”

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