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Dangerous when driving
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Roads Minister to look at driving ban on mobile phones
The Government is to consider banning the use of mobile phones while driving,
after a motorist making a call caused the death of another driver.
Roads Minister Baroness Hayman said she would look at the idea of introducing
a specific ban, as well as inserting a warning in the Highway Code, and telling
mobile phone retailers to warn customers about the dangers.
Collision after phone call
She decided to act after businessman Peter Mill was jailed for six months
at Reading Crown Court on Friday, after causing the death of another motorist,
who died in a crash at Bracknell,nearly three years ago.
Mill had been listening to his phone message service just before he crossed to the wrong side of the road and collided head-on with a van.
Changes in Highway Code
Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, Lady Hayman said "I will look at the question of a specific offence.
What I'm interested in at first is changing what we say in the Highway Code
to strengthen that. Then getting drivers aware and obeying what is said,
understanding that they can be successfully prosecuted, that it's dangerous to
themselves and other people, and that if they want to use a mobile phone in the
car, they should stop the car first."
"What's happening though is that people are driving along, using mobile
phones, being distracted and driving dangerously,and I think we've got to change it," she said.
"The law says you have to be in control of your motor vehicle and you are not
in control if you are using a mobile phone,"
She said she was not ruling out specific legislation, though police organisations couldn't agree whether using a phone whilst driving should be an offence.
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