Mobile Phone Use Ban In Business Fleets Not Implemented

Two-thirds of fleets have chosen to simply give their drivers guidelines on the use of hands-free phones while driving rather than imposing a ban, according to a survey by Fleet News.

The poll revealed that 68% of respondents have not issued an outright ban on hands-free phones compared to 55% a year ago, although many fleets have implemented guidelines to limit their use. For example, drivers may be told to only use phones when stopped or to call back when it is safe to do so.

Research from the Transport Research Laboratory found that using a hands-free phone while driving was more likely to lengthen reaction times than having the UK limit of 80mg of alcohol in the bloodstream. Other research from the University of Utah indicated that drivers on hands-free phones take longer to brake, fail to keep pace with traffic and have a lower memory performance.

Road safety charities are therefore calling for the use of hands-free phones while driving to be illegal although no political party is presently considering a ban.

Road safety charity Brake has launched a new website (accessable by clicking the image above) which provides advice, information and resources on fleet safety. It also includes guidance for fleet managers on eco-driving and duty of care and gives a range of e-learning tools.

Source: Croners

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