A new law in California requiring drivers to use hands-free mobile phones while driving could save up to 300 lives a year, according to a study by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC).

The study estimates that after the introduction of the new law on July 1, California will likely experience 300 fewer traffic fatalities a year. The state has more than 4000 traffic deaths a year.

These findings differ from previous research that has questioned the effectiveness of hands-free laws in improving traffic safety. Previous research has found that drivers using hands-free phone devices were just as distracted as those using hand-held phones.

“These studies have relied on surveys of drivers, laboratory simulations, and observations in vehicles specially outfitted to record a driver’s behaviour and distractions. However, these studies using these approaches do not help predict the effects of a hand-free law,” said Jed Koko, PPIC research fellow and author of the study.

“Mobile phone use cannot be measured accurately at the time of traffic collision. A driver may hang up to avoid looking negligent and police can’t easily access mobile phone records.

“Drivers make real-time decisions that cannot be measured in a lab. They decide whether and when to use their phones. The question is how these laws might change drivers’ likelihood of using any mobile phone, whether it’s handheld or hands-free.”

The study finds:

• Mobile phone ownership appears to contribute to traffic deaths, but only under certain driving conditions. If the weather is bad an the roads are wet, the effect is large. There is no observable effect in good weather or on dry roads.
  
  
• Laws requiring hands-free devices have reduced fatalities in adverse conditions by 30-60%, depending how long the law has been in effect.
  
  
• Based on the experience of New York, which in 2001 became the first state to have a hands-free law, fatalities in adverse conditions may remain at a lower level several years after the laws take effect.
  
  

For study click study

AMTA Chief Executive Officer, Chris Althaus, reminded all drivers that using a legal hands-free mobile phone while driving was not appropriate in all driving circumstances.

“We stress that although a hands-free device can reduce the physical effort to make and receive calls, drivers should avoid making calls in adverse traffic, road or weather conditions and avoid complex or emotional conversations. Safety is the most important call drivers can make.

“While technology can address physical and visual factors, education and awareness is required to address cognitive factors. Therefore, the most useful action governments can take is to help educate drivers about the appropriate use of mobile telecommunications products in vehicles.

“AMTA has urged governments to take the ‘education’ path on all driving distractions and has offered to partner governments in such a campaign.”

AMTA’s driving safety tips are widely used by fleet owners and motoring organisations and can be viewed under consumer tips at www.amta.org.au

Mr Althaus said mobile phones are only one of the many distractions faced by drivers and all potential distractions must be considered.