Cellphone ban supported

Three-quarters of people questioned in a Herald-DigiPoll survey want the use of hand-held cellphones banned in cars.

But only half that proportion would support banning talking into hands-free sets while driving, despite a growing fear in Government and motoring circles that this could be as dangerous as holding a phone at the wheel.

The survey of 750 people found 75.6 per cent support for banning hand-held phones in cars, and just 38 per cent for a prohibition against those in fixed positions.

This follows a revelation in February that 17 people since 1997 have died in road crashes caused by the use of cellphones, a conservative estimate given difficulties proving a driver was distracted immediately before impact.

Automobile Association motoring policy manager Jayne Gale said the variable results reflected views of members. But she believed the mental distraction of a phone call could be equally as deadly on a hands-free model as on one held to a driver's ear.

Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven said this was also the belief of the Swedish Government, which had decided against banning cellphone use for now.

This country's Insurance Council has a similar view.

Ms Gale said: "We believe driving while on a cellphone is at least as dangerous as drunk-driving."

Mr Duynhoven said the strong apparent public support here for banning hand-held phones would not rush Cabinet ministers into a decision.

Although the Government stopped short of including a ban in a change to the road code in February, he said he hoped a new rule could be put in place next year after substantial public consultation.