ABSTRACT
From the selected epidemiological studies reviewed, the estimation at 3.0 of the risk of being involved in a property damage or body injury accident for a driver telephoning, in relation to a driver who is not telephoning, regardless of the system used (hands-free or otherwise), seems rather consistent. This is the overall risk taken by the driver at the time when he is telephoning in his vehicle, including listening/talking and also dialling and hanging up. As shown by experimental and naturalistic driving studies, these two last sub-tasks are probably associated with higher risks but for short periods of time. Most of the research discussed in this chapter covers telephone use by drivers of private vehicls, but some research on telephone use by drivers of heavy trucks is also covered. None of the research discussed addresses the effect of the telephone on driving for drivers of other types of vehicles or on the behaviour of pedestrians crossing the road.
