Motorists making hands-free phone calls are just as distracted as motorists who are holding their phones to their ear.

This is the conclusion of a study conducted by the Institute for Road Safety Research (SWOV). The institute argues that the danger to motorists lies in their being less focussed on traffic while making a phone call. Whether or not they are actually holding the phone does not play a significant role.

This does not apply to cyclists, because it’s more difficult for them to keep their balance with just one hand on the handle bars.

SWOV says that about 30 percent of traffic participants are focussed on something other than traffic while on the road.

Distraction is the cause of between 5 and 25 percent of car accidents. For lorries the figure is as high as 70 percent.

(gsh)

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide