The Age yesterday reported on a new study released by the Virginia Tech Transport Insttitute (USA), which has added more weight to what many people already knew- the dangers of driving while texting on a mobile phone.

The study of light vehicle and truck drivers found that truckers were 23 times more likely to have a collision when texting while driving.

The results of the study also add weight to the argument that texting is even more dangerous than talking on a mobile phone while driving, as talking allows the driver to maintain eye contact on the road.

The study found that for handsfree and voice activated mobile phone devices to be safe, they have to be well enough designed so that the driver does not have to take their eyes off the road to answer the phone, dial a phone number etc.

Mobile phone use while driving is not yet as strictly legislated in some US states as it is in Australia. In NSW for example, a driver must not use a mobile phone that the driver is holding in his or her hand while the vehicle is moving, or is stationary but not parked. 'Use' of the mobile phone includes:

• holding the phone to, or near, the ear (whether or not engaged in a phone call),
• writing, sending or reading a text message on the phone,
• turning the phone on or off,
• operating any other function of the phone.

The law extends even further to P1 drivers in NSW, who may not use mobile phones at all, (e.g. handsfree devices are not allowed).

A general survey of the road in any area shows that many people are not following these rules. I saw countless people blatantly speaking with a phone to their ear on my way to work this morning, and a few more with the phone in their hand on the steering wheel (perhaps these people think that counts as 'handsfree') and aren't aware of the laws listed above!

Earlier this year, the Courier Mail published an article including alarming results of Queensland drivers, including that:

• 56% of drivers answer a mobile phone while driving
• 32% make calls while driving
• 28% read text messages while driving

The article also included a statement from Queensland Metropolitan North Regional Traffic Coordinator Acting Inspector Mark Yabsley that mobile phone use while driving is even more dangerous than speeding. The Courier Mail article is available online here