Mobile phone use in the car is something that shouldn't be done, but often is. Before you reach for your mobile to text and drive, be sure of the facts, and the law.
Australian law
In Australia, it is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving, even when the car is stationary, such as at traffic lights. This includes making calls, sending or receiving text messages, or using any other mobile phone function such as taking photos. If caught, drivers can be fined up to $1,500 and given up to four demerit points.
There are two main reasons for this law. Mobile phones can cause both peripheral and central interference, which puts both the driver and other road users at risk. Peripheral interference occurs when a driver is physically handling a mobile phone and trying to operate the vehicle with one hand, which reduces the driver’s control and ability to react quickly. Central interference on the other hand occurs when the demands of the conversation distract the driver to the extent that his or her vehicle control and hazard perception skills are compromised. Both forms of interference are dangerous and have been the cause of many road accidents and cases of reckless driving.
Hands-free kits
If you need to use a mobile phone while driving, the only legal option is using a hands-free kit. These kits allow the driver to make or receive phone calls with both hands on the wheel, speaking into a microphone or headset. This enables greater opportunity to focus on the road and concentrate on driving. However, if using your hands-free set causes distraction or makes you lose proper control of your vehicle, you are still guilty of an offence. It is therefore important to make sure that you are able to maintain your focus on the road while talking, and if not, to discontinue use of the hands-free kit.
Hands-free mobile phone sets come in all different shapes, sizes and styles. In order to minimise distraction it is important that you choose a model that works best for you. A basic hands-free care set will include a base unit that you will mount somewhere in your car, a microphone, speakers, a control panel, and an internal or external antenna. It might also include a cradle that charges your phone while you talk. These components can all be bundled into a single device, or individually installed, so you have many options that you can customise to suit your needs. Often, you will be able to mount the base unit on a convenient spot such as the car visor, which will allow you to make and receive calls with the maximum ease.
Safety precautions
Research has shown that even hands-free kits don’t necessarily make mobile phone use safe, despite being perfectly legal. It is suggested that talking on a mobile phone requires far higher levels of processing ability than listening to music, changing a CD or even talking to another person present in the car, and thus even when using hands-free sets, a driver’s ability to concentrate on the road is put at risk. Many studies have supported the claim that using hands-free mobile phones is just as dangerous as holding the phone with one hand. Therefore it is important to be aware of the risks and to take proper safety precautions whenever you are using your mobile phone in the car.
The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association has developed a set of safety guidelines for using hands-free mobile phone kits. Make sure that the kit is set up and working correctly before you start driving, so that you’re not trying to adjust it while on the road. Always keep the conversation short, inform the person on the other end that you are driving and may have to end the call, and avoid engaging in complex or emotional conversations that will affect your concentration levels. If the call is distracting you from driving in any way, end it immediately.
It is also recommended that you avoid using the phone in heavy traffic or in weather conditions that might require closer concentration. A good suggestion is to use mobile phones with voice-activated dialing and automatic answering features to pick up important calls, so that you minimise central interference. Importantly, you should not take notes, look up phone numbers, or read text messages, as all of these will affect your ability to handle the vehicle and maintain proper awareness of the traffic around you. In all cases, it is recommended to park your car in a proper parking area to make or receive calls, or to use your phone for any other purpose.