AA backs cellphone ban for drivers

By REBECCA WALSH

The Automobile Association has renewed calls for a ban on cellphone use while driving.

An October survey of its members found that more than 60 per cent were "extremely concerned" about cellphone use in cars.

The call comes just days after the Land Transport Safety Authority opposed a ban, saying there was not enough information from overseas to clearly show the benefit.

George Fairbairn, director of public affairs for the AA, said 98 per cent of people surveyed had some concern and 63 per cent were extremely concerned about drivers' using cellphones. Only 2 per cent had no concern at all.

Cellphones were recorded as a factor in 32 injury accidents last year, compared with an average of nine a year in the five years to 1997. Fatal crashes involving cellphones increased from an average of one a year in the five years to 1999 to four in 2000 and five last year.

A number of countries, including Austria, Brazil, Italy, Japan, Norway, Chile, Israel, Portugal, South Africa and Switzerland, already ban cellphone use by drivers.

All Australian states have banned the use of hand-held cellphones while driving. Fines range from A$60 to A$150 ($65 to $163).

Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Britain are considering legislation.

In its draft road-user rules, released last week for public consultation, the LTSA said that despite an increase in the number of cellphone-related crashes, they were still a small proportion of the total number of crashes.

"Over the last five years, since records began, cellphone-related crashes have been less than half of 1 per cent of all reported injury and fatal crashes."

LTSA spokesman Andy Knackstedt said dozens more crashes were caused by drivers reaching for something or adjusting their stereo.

There was not enough information from overseas studies to clearly show whether bans had succeeded in improving safety, or how those countries had been able to effectively enforce the law.

A ban would also be difficult to enforce, and might not represent safety at reasonable cost.

In March the Herald reported a Montreal University study that found the risk of an accident while using a cellphone increased 38 per cent.

A Utah University study reported that cellphone-using drivers missed twice as many simulated traffic signals as others and their reaction times were slower.

The AA survey found that cellphones were not the only distractions people were worried about. Radio and tape players, eating and drinking, external distractions, passengers and smoking were also areas of "extreme concern".

Mr Fairbairn said it was essential to send a clear signal to law abiding drivers that it was dangerous to use a handheld cellphone while driving.

Both the police and the Insurance Council have backed calls to ban cellphone use while driving.