Convicted Driver
Mobile phones 'as dangerous as drink driving'
Mon, 03 Jul 2006
Having a conversation on your mobile phone whilst driving is as dangerous as driving when drunk, new research suggests.
According to a study conducted by US researchers at the University of Utah, drivers who were either talking on their handset or using a hands free device whilst driving were just as likely to crash as drivers who had drunk more than the legal amount of alcohol, Reuters reports.
Researchers studied the effects of alcohol and mobile phone use on driving ability using a driving simulation machine.
Those driving whilst talking on phones were found to be slower to hit the breaks in the case of a sudden stop, and were more likely to hit the car in front than slightly drunk drivers.
The study highlights the danger that distractions such as mobile phones can pose to both the driver and other road users.
As well as making an accident or collision more likely, being caught using a mobile phone whilst at the wheel could also land you with a conviction for dangerous driving, making convicted driver insurance a necessity.
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