The use of hands-free kits to be able to speak on the telephone, whilst driving, multiplies by a factor of four the risk of accidents, when compared to situations where the driver is not on a mobile. This emerges from an IBSR (Belgian Institute for Road Safety) survey.
This survey, produced using electronic camera devices, showed that a driver using a hands-free kit sees road signs 44% less, and correspondingly other drivers 28% less, than other drivers not using mobiles.
Such drivers participating in the study also viewed their left hand rear-view mirror less regularly, and were found to be more likely to drive in the middle lane.
Benoit Godard, the IBSR spokesman concludes, “The results are evident. There is an effect upon attention, which is now statistically proven.”
The Brussels Times
