Driving is a complex task, requiring drivers to use and coordinate a number of skills. Any lapse in concentration increases the risk of the vehicle being involved in a crash.
Driving while using a hand held mobile phone can cause both physical and mental distraction which impairs driving performance.
Using a mobile phone while driving can significantly impair a driver’s:
reaction time
visual search patterns
ability to maintain speed and position on the road
ability to judge safe gaps in the traffic
general awareness of other road users.
Research shows that using a mobile phone while driving increases the risk of crashing by at least four times. The most common types of crashes associated with mobile usage are ‘run-off-the-road’ crashes and ‘rear end’ crashes.
Using a mobile phone while driving can bring even greater danger to novice drivers as they may experience difficulty in balancing the many demands on their driving - from perceptual, mental and physical tasks. Research has found novice drivers who use a mobile phone spend less time looking at the road ahead. They are also more likely to wander over the road (across traffic lanes) and take longer to notice driving hazards.
A mobile phone can be important in an emergency. If you need to use your mobile phone to call for help, stop and park safely where you will not endanger other road users.