Sales of hands free kits for mobile phone users are likely to rise as a result of the government bringing a ban in on 1st November this year. The ban extends to all use of hand held mobile phones whether texting or calling, with the exception of 111 calls for genuine emergencies, Business to Business reports in Auckland this week.

The transport Minister, Steven Joyce pointed out that distractions while driving have only increased in recent years, but that the use of handheld mobile’s “has grown to be a significant problem. If you’re at the wheel you should be focused on driving – as you’re already required to. Driver distraction is a priority area for the upcoming road safety strategy review. We will soon be asking for the public’s opinion on how to address road safety issues over the next ten years.”

In the five years prior to 2008 there were 25 fatal accidents and 482 other accidents in which the use of a mobile phone was cited as a contributing factor.

The effects upon business are likely to be significant, as many business people have become dependent on their mobile phones, and make important calls while driving.

Chief Executive of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce, Michael Barnett, said: “Use of Cell phones in cars has become a part of doing business, especially in Auckland where a 15 minute trip can turn into an hour on the great motorway carpark. People are using their cars as kind of mobile offices.

"From a safety perspective I think the call to oblige people to use hands-free kits is sensible and I see no reason for it to curtail business in any way. The concerns I have are that we have insufficient Police anyway and it could just become ‘low hanging fruit’.

"The Police don’t have the resources as it is, and this could just be more legislation that will take their efforts away from combating crime in every form.”

Business owner Paul Donovan, of CDQ Communications and Design said: “I think the chief problem is the one of distraction. If you are conversing with someone outside of your vehicle, your mind is not fully on the road, and they have no idea of the road and traffic conditions. I don’t think this ban will have much effect – the only thing that might is if there were a ban on speaking to people outside of your own vehicle.

"I’ve never been a big user of my mobile in the car, and I’ve always pulled over if needed, or called back. There are other equally distracting tools in cars - should it not extend to operating a GPS system?”

Ray White Estate Agent Sue Beaver feels the ban is a good idea. “We’ve had the option of hands free kits for a while, which is certainly my preference but not the answer. I don’t think your mind can really be on the road if you are racking your brains to think of the price of a property you haven’t seen for six weeks! I’ve always avoided using mine where possible in the car, and hope that people will leave a message so I can call them on my return to the office”.