August 16, 2005
New drivers will be banned from using hands-free mobile phones
As part of an overhaul of driving licence laws in Australia, all new drivers will be banned from using hands-free mobile phones under plans to cut the youth road toll, writes the Herald Sun.
Currently, only hand-held mobile phone use is banned -- a restriction that applies to all drivers.
Monash University Accident Research Centre senior research fellow Michael Regan said evidence was mounting that hands-free phones were just as dangerous.
"Both hands-free and hand-held mobile phones increase the risk of having a fatal crash between four or five times," he said. "That increase in risk is equivalent to having a blood alcohol concentration of .08."
Dr Regan said L and P-plate drivers were more prone to distraction. "If you're going to target a particular group initially with a piece of legislation, it makes more sense to target them," he said. "A ban will send the right message to young drivers that hands-free mobiles aren't safe. Indirectly, that will send a message to the rest of the community."
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