Are young people at a greater safety risk if they use a mobile phone while driving?
Research shows that using a mobile phone while driving increases crash risk by at least 4 times. Consequently, the Australian Road Rules do not permit any driver to use a mobile phone while it is held in his or her hand. While both hands-free and hand-held mobile phone use while driving considerably increases crash risk, using mobile phones while driving brings greater danger to novice drivers. Young drivers also more often have a mobile phone in the vehicle when driving and have it switched on compared to other drivers.
