16/04/2010 - Hands-free mobiles distract drivers
A massive 97.5% of people cannot use their hands-free mobile phone while behind the wheel without getting distracted, a study has found.
Only 2.5% of people - called "supertaskers" - can talk on their hands-free mobile phones while driving without any impairment, the research published by the University of Utah said.
Motorists using hands-free mobile phones are 20% slower to apply the brakes when required and the distances at which drivers followed other cars increase by 30%, the study noted.
Memory performance of the participants fell 11%, while there was a 3% decline in the ability to do maths.
Jason Watson, who co-conducted the study, said: "Given the number of individuals who routinely talk on the phone while driving, one would have hoped that there would be a greater percentage of supertaskers.
"And while we'd probably all like to think we are the exception to the rule, the odds are overwhelmingly against it."
Ellen Booth, campaigns officer for Brake, said: "The evidence is overwhelming. Using a hands-free or handheld phone while driving is dangerous, full stop.
"It's time that our politicians took note and put an end to the ridiculous situation where using a hand-held mobile is banned, but using hands-free isn't."
Copyright © Press Association 2010
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