Ban a good start

After what seems to be an inordinately long time, the Government has at last decided to consider introducing a ban on the use of hand-held cellpones in motor-vehicles, writes The Press in an editorial.

Not that the Government is moving with any great haste on the issue. The proposed new road-user rule banning the use of the devices will not be released for public consultation until August, and the rule will obviously not come into effect until some time after that. This is tortoise-like progress, but it is welcome nonetheless.

According to the Government, the number of reported motor-vehicle crashes involving the use of cellphones has more than doubled in the last six years. Between 2002 and 2007, the use of cellphones and the like was a factor in 411 injury crashes and 26 fatal crashes. Research also indicates that using a mobile phone while driving increases the risk of being involved in a crash by up to four times.

A ban on the use of hand-held devices will not be a cure-all. Their use is only part of the overall problem of driver distraction, which was identified in 2006 as a contributing factor in 11 per cent of all road vehicle crashes. Indeed, official resistance to a ban on cellphones was based on the idea that enforcement should focus on the wider issue rather than cellphones alone.

Cellphone use is such a highly visible, plainly dangerous activity that targeting it directly sends a clear road-safety message to drivers. Specific messages are more effective than general ones.

It can be expected that with a focus on a clear example of a hazardous practice, the lesson that drivers must always use care and attention will be reinforced.