FIRST Group (the world’s leading transport company) responded positively to research that revealed the immense dangers of the use of hands-free mobile phones while driving – they banned the use of such equipment by all 135,000 employees while engaged on company business.

Extensive research carried out by the Transport Research Laboratory has shown conclusively that driver reaction time to apply brakes, or steer away from danger, are significantly reduced when driving and using a hands-free mobile phone.

Most alarmingly, it has ascertained that reactions while using hands-free phones are slower than driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

When travelling at a speed of 70mph, the effect on reaction time caused by the hands-free mobile conversation means that the vehicle travels 26 feet further than one driven under ‘normal’ circumstances, before the driver is fully engaged and able to take appropriate action.

While using a hand-held mobile phone and driving is a criminal offence and punishable with a £60 fine and three penalty points, many motorists causing death and serious injury have been sent to prison.

Hands-free mobile phone use is legal, yet an offence can be committed if the driver is deemed to be neglecting his/her duty to be in full control of the vehicle.

In the light of all the research that points to use of mobile phones while driving to be as dangerous as drink-driving, perhaps the time has come to ban the use of any phone when driving?

For many decades, drivers managed quite well without the need to make constant use of a device that sensible people see as a complete and utter distraction.

MALCOLM PRICE, College Hill, Hereford.