The Tasmanian government has flagged consideration of a total ban on drivers using mobile phones in that State, claiming that the use of hands-free mobiles is as dangerous as “driving while drunk”.

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) is concerned that such claims are potentially misleading and could colour any debate, which must be based on scientific facts, on the safety merits or otherwise of mobile phones in cars.

“We think it would be more productive for the Tasmanian government and road traffic authorities in that State to ensure that drivers are aware of the requirements of the new road rules for mobile phones, which were introduced late last year, than flagging a possible ban,” an AMTA spokesman said.

Tasmanian Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges was quoted in the Launceston Examiner newspaper on Monday saying that the use of mobile phones, even hands-free phone kits, had been found to be associated with an increased risk of crashes.

“Research indicates that impairments associated with using a mobile phone, either a hand-held or hands-free mobile phone, while driving can be as profound as those associated with driving while drunk,” he said in the newspaper.

AMTA’s spokesman said such claims were not correct and ran the real risk of destigmatizing the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol.

An Australian study which compared the blood alcohol levels of drivers involved in actual car crashes found the risk of an accident with increased by 25 times at a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08. Mobile phones have not been found to pose this level of risk in any research, he said.

Recent research by the Virginian Tech Transportation Institute show the risk of a crash or near crash dialling a mobile phone was 2.8 times higher as non-distracted driving and 1.3 times for talking or listening on a mobile while behind the wheel. This compared to a 1.4 times higher risk for drivers reaching for other objects in their cars.

AMTA said: “This study did find that driving and sending text messaging was 23.2 times riskier than non-distracting driving, which puts it in the same category as drunk driving (25 times higher risk).

“A more valid comparison would be between text messaging on mobiles while driving and drunk driving and not making and receiving calls, which are have a similar risk profile to other in-car activities, such as changing the stereo, looking at outside objects while driving and being distracted by children in the back seat.

“In fact, according to US research found that drivers looking at traffic, crashes and roadside incidents was the primary distraction in 16% of crashes studies, followed by driver fatigue (12%), looking at scenery (10%), child distractions (9%), adjusting the radio or CD (7%),” he said.

“Mobile phones were cited as the primary distraction in slightly more than 5% of crashes studied.

”Mobile phones are only one of the many distractions faced by drivers and all potential distractions must be considered and singling out mobiles will not assist safety efforts.”

New road rules introduced in Tasmania on November 30, 2009, require drivers to place their mobiles in a holder or cradle. They are allowed to touch the phone in the cradle for the purposes of making or receiving a call. All other functions are banned.

Drivers may use their mobile via Bluetooth if it is not in a cradle, however, they are not permitted to touch any part of the phone.

AMTA has updated driving tips to assist drivers with the new road rules. They can be viewed here.