A company in County Durham has banned its employees from using mobile phones while they are at the wheel.
Workers at the 3M manufacturing plant in Newton Aycliffe have been told they cannot use mobiles, or even hands-free devices, while using their cars for business.
The company has been running a child safety road campaign since 2005, which has involved the distribution of 95,000 high visibility vests to young people in a bid to reduce the number of accidents on roads in the area.
Doug Mitchell, 3M’s managing director, said there is compelling evidence that using mobiles while driving impairs a motorist’s performance.
Katie Shephard, fundraising manager for the road safety charity Brake, agreed: "Research has shown that it is the phone conversation that distracts and kills, regardless of whether a hands-free kit is used or not."
She added: "We hope other companies will follow 3M’s lead and introduce this ban as part of their health and safety policy."
Firm bans mobile phone use behind the wheel
July 28th, 2008
Hands-free phone driver jailed for accident death
July 1st, 2008A driver was so engrossed in a conversation while using a hands-free phone he caused a fatal car crash, a court has heard.
Marvyn Richmond was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison at Lincoln Crown Court, for dangerous driving.
Van passenger Michael Buston was killed in the accident, reports the Daily Telegraph.
Figures show that 30 deaths are caused by mobile phone use, although the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) believes the true figure is much greater although few motorists admit to using mobile phones while driving.
RoSPA spokesman Roger Vincent said the government should consider legislating for a total ban on drivers using mobile phones.
"It is the conversation itself that is the problem, because people get more and more involved in that and pay less and less attention to the road," commented Mr Vincent.
A law came into effect in California yesterday (June 30th) prohibiting the use of mobile phones while driving. Motorists over the age of 18 will be permitted to use hands-free phones, although those under the age of 18 will not.
