Sat 24 Feb 2007
RAC investigation into phone retailers and the new hands free laws
Posted by CM under Driving safety
The RAC foundation has carrried out undercover research into ways that mobile phone retailers will try and sell phones and accessories.
Whilst reassuringly all mobile retailers advised their mystery shoppers that the law requires motorists to use a handsfree kit while driving, but just one in three explained that this is because using a hand-held phone can be distracting. One assistant went as far as recommending throwing the phone down if blue lights were spotted.
The sound advice from the RAC Foundation recommends that you
* Never use a hand-held phone whilst driving.
* Buy and fit a good hands-free system, but try not to make calls unless essential.
* Never compose or read texts or emails while driving.
* Recognise that driving requires a high level of concentration. Use the built in facilities of the phone to minimise distraction, such as voice mail for incoming calls and single number dialling of pre-programmed numbers.
* Keep calls short. Don’t chat and never argue.
* Do not take or make calls when road, traffic or weather conditions are particularly bad.
