Posted By Steve I am currently writting a policy for the use of hands free mobile phones in vehicles. I would be grateful if anyone who as already written such a policy, would not mind sharing it with me in order that I don't have to re-invent the wheel. thanking you in advance Steve

Posted By Eric Burt I have also done a policy which hopefully will be approved next week. I have also done quite a lot of research into this topic, in respect of the HSC Work-related Road Safety Group. It is also worth checking out the new Road Death Investigation Manual from the police. Look back through the archives on this site as it has cropped up a few times. If you send me your e-mail address I will send you a copy of our draft policy or pop one in the post to you. If you are thinking of banning the use of hands-free mobiles in cars (as we propose to do) be prepared for all the brick-bats - it is extremely unpopular! Good luck Eric

Posted By Eric Burt Sean It could be RoSPA's leaflet or one from the RAC. Unfortunately, they tend to say "avoid the use of hands-free" rather than " DON'T USE ANY TYPE OF MOBILE PHONE WHILE DRIVING" I have found the Brake info really useful and it also gives details of prosecutions of drivers who have caused accidents using hand-held as well as hands-free mobiles. Also, believe it or not, there are prosecutions of drivers who have been sending text messages whilst driving! Makes you wonder about in-car navigation systems doesn't it? Eric

Posted By Steve A big thankyou to all who have responded through this web site and to myself direct, it is much appreciated. For those of you who are trying to contact me, either click on my name or e-mail me at salcock@wade.co.uk ps Allan, I have not yet recieved your information. Regards Steve

Posted By Allan St.John Holt Ken, That's what our Board said, but it's not backed up by the evidence. There's a big difference in mental distraction between changing CD tracks and dealing qwith a phone call. But as I said before, the pragmatic view is to settle for the best you can get1 Allan

Posted By Sean Fraser For those of you who are still trying to get a ban on use of mobile 'phones and need evidence to back it up, go to: http://www.rospa.co.uk/CMS/ Under "Using Mobile Phones While Driving" there are several excellent articles, particularly the factsheet on the subject and another entitled "The Risk of Using A Mobile Phone While Driving - (2002)". Both are clearly written and quite thought-provoking. The clear choice is to for employers to ban use of 'phones while driving and enforce it effectively. In a US study, there was statistical evidence that the risk of being involved in a collision was four times more likely while using a mobile OR hands-free phone. This is a costly consideration for businesses regarding insurance and repair costs, let alone the cost of liability if the accident involves harm to others. Is each call really worth taking that risk? If so, then the same argument obviously applies to speeders - better to get to that client in record time and impress them than worry about running over a juvenile, I mean, what're the chances of that anyway? . . . THUMP! Surely the blindingly obvious hazard of using these items while driving would enough for us all as reasonable and responsible adults to discontinue such dangerous practices for ourselves. Unfortunately, it seems there are those who think they are so important or trendy and who feel the overwhelming compulsion to take that call straight away instead of taking the time to pull over safely or promise to call back - and htey are legion. The consequence will be to force the nanny State to produce yet another piece of worthless and relatively unenforceable legislation banning this madness, when we could have done something about it for ourselves beforehand. Recently, while on the way to work using a semi-rural road, I was faced by an oncoming vehicle coming around a corner very fast in the middle of the road because the driver was more intent on keeping a mobile glued to his ear than his steering. As he hurriedly corrected (wobbled) his direction, he took THE OTHER HAND off the steering wheel to wave an apology to me!! It's only a matter of time. Haven't we got enough irresponsible idiots in charge of dangerous killing machines without adding this extra attention-diverting hazard? And no, they neither look cool nor important - just another senseless and totally avoidable hazard on the road. C'et la vie . . . I'll get off this horse now as the thinner atmosphere is making me cranky.

Posted By Hilary Charlton Great powerpoint slide, thanks very much. It is now going to posted all over my building! Hilary

Posted By Ken Taylor Has anyone here actually achieved a total ban? Whilst the voluntary approach may well be the more desirable option, I fear that it will take legislation to achieve any appreciable degree of compliance. This was the case with seat-belt wearing. I can remember, when this had first been made compulsory in the UK, that drivers going onto the ferries were wearing them but were not when they drove off in Guernsey (where they had not, at that time, followed the UK in requiring seat-belt use).

Posted By Dave Wilson Its like anything new is safety, it will take a death, company prosecution for allowing it to happen and a subsequent public inquiry and insurance company payouts. Where's the new Corporate Killing as this will surley be a prime case, Management new of the risks and did nothing, the law will soon change then!!! Sorry for ploughing into that rush hour bus queue of people & kids, didnt want to kill 25 of them, but my boss wanted to know where I was with the 40ton load I had on the back for the last 12 hours!!!