Cellphones: 14 million British drivers on wrong side of the law

Drivers in Britain who use mobile phones while at the wheel are about to find themselves on the wrong side of the law.

The British government is about to make it illegal to drive while using any kind of mobile phone that is not permanently wired into the vehicle.

A survey by a maker of mobile phone headsets calculates that only 2 million of the country's 16 million vehicles have the required mobile phone installation.

Drivers could be fined up to $2750 for making illegal calls, though most would face a fixed penalty of $85.

Another 6 million drivers use hands-free earpieces with their mobile phones, the survey estimated, but under the new legislation this set-up would also be an offence - even if wireless Bluetooth headsets are used.

The headset manufacturer, Jabra, wants the government to review the proposals before they come into law. The company says the government should concentrate on the 8 million drivers who admit to risking an accident by taking calls on their handsets and encourage them to use hands-free kits.

However, research by Harvard University's Centre for Risk Analysis suggests the use of a telephone while driving is a dangerous distraction and the type of equipment used is not relevant. Listening to music does not have the same effect on a driver's concentration.

One Harvard expert says the problem lies in the driver having a conversation with a person outside the vehicle.