Call for a hands-free ban for teenagers

New research has revealed that teenage drivers are as dangerous as drink-drivers when using hands-free mobile phones behind the wheel.

The research, by the Transport Research Laboratory, says that a quarter of UK drivers use hands-free mobile phones, which makes their reaction times up to 30% slower than motorists who have been drinking and 50% slower than those who are sober.

Previous research from the University of Sydney has suggested that drivers using hands-free phones are four times more likely to crash than those who don't.

In light of the new research, campaigners are calling for the Government to change the law and ban the use of hands-free devices for drivers under the age of 20.