Nautilus Law Group refers personal injury matters to GC Law. Gavin Mills, the Practice Director of GC Law and Personal Injury Specialist Lawyer, recently asked, in an article, this very question. We found the question interesting, given lawyers (and most of our clients we suspect), rely heavily on hands free communication in transit. We pose the question to you, and leave it to you to consider whether lobbying for use of mobile phones in cars should be a priority. Given the dangers posed by the distraction of the mobile phones, it goes without saying that a hazard exists – even when the mobile phones are used hands-free. What do you think?

Commentary by GC Law:

“As compensation law experts, we see many clients injured in car accidents as a result of drivers not paying attention while driving and using a mobile phone at the same time.

The risk of an accident while driving and using a mobile device is so high, that most States are now calling for a complete ban on drivers using a mobile device while driving.

There is evidence that talking on a mobile phone hands free and driving should also be banned, because it presents just as great a risk of crashing as holding a phone.

Politically there are movements to amend the road rules to ban all mobile use when driving. Some authorities are also lobbying for in-car technologies to prevent drivers from using a mobile device while driving.

“Localised fields” can be developed to surround a driver restricting incoming and outgoing calls, but the field would need to be automated to ensure that the ban was effective. Some motor vehicle manufacturers are considering this feature as a standard on all models.

It is presently illegal in all states and territories to use a hand held mobile phone while driving. This includes talking, texting, playing games, taking photos or videos and using any other phone functions.

Using a hand held mobile phone is also illegal when your vehicle is stationery but not parked, for example when you’re stopped at a red traffic light.

It is illegal for a Learner or P Plate driver to use a hands free mobile at all.

The most common type of car accidents associated with the use of mobile devices is “running off the road” or “rear end” crashes.

Statistics show that using a mobile phone while driving is so distracting that it increases the risk of having an accident by five times.

Despite the dangers and the illegality, about 25% of Queensland drivers recently surveyed admitted to using their mobile phone on a daily basis to answer or make calls and read text messages, while 14% reported using their hand held mobile phone to send a text message on a daily basis.

Driver distraction is one of the main causes of car accidents estimated to account for approximately one quarter of all car crashes.

At GC Law we are compensation law experts. If you, a family member or a friend has been injured in a car accident, it’s important to obtain legal advice about your rights quickly because strict time limits apply.

For more information, please feel free to call GC Law on 1300 302 388 for a free, no obligation opinion on where you stand.

At GC Law, we’re here to help.”