The Road Haulage Association is extremely concerned that the Commons Transport Select Committee is considering proposals that the use of hands-free mobile phones while driving should be banned.
Commenting, RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “For years we have condemned the use of hand-held devices but for truckers, it is essential that they are able to be contacted and can make contact with their base or their customers.
“We totally agree that drivers should not touch their phone while driving – put it in the glove box and forget it. But voice-activated devices, as fitted in the majority of vehicles, make communication safe and viable.
“Ours is an industry that is time critical and the ever increasing levels of congestion on the road network mean that communication is more important than ever. It’s vital that the driver can stay in touch. The vast majority of UK manufacturing plants now rely on just-in-time deliveries. Taking away the ability for drivers to keep in touch could seriously effect of production times.
“Once regarded as a luxury, a hand-free kit is now standard equipment in vehicles. If such a ban were to be put in place, how would it be enforced?
“This is a proposal that needs extremely careful consideration and it is vital that the RHA is included in any consultation.”
Hands free communication is not ‘safe and viable’ as it’s the way the brain deals with telephone communication that causes the distraction and therefore the risk.
Humans have evolved to be face-to-face communicators with many of the worlds leading experts suggesting that as much as 70 to 80% of communication is non-verbal, leaving around 30% or less of our brain concerned with thinking and producing speach
When we speak on a phone, any phone landline handheld or hands free mobile, the reverse is true. We cannot see our communication partner and are blind to the non-verbal communication so the reverse is true, the vast majority of our brain then becomes concerned with thinking and producing speach leaving only a small amount of capacity for rational thinking and decision making.
Handheld or handsfree, the distraction levels are the same. Crash and kill someone whilst on a handheld phone, you are going to prison. Crash and kill someone whislt on a hands free phone, well, you are going to prison.
As an ex-police officer I have prosecuted many drivers for doing things other than driving, when they’re driving and many for the most serious of road traffic offences.
To be safe and safe from prosecution, if the thing you are messing with doesn’t make the vehicle go, stop, steer or make your intention to deviate, leave it alone.