The Opposition is calling for legislation to ban the use of cell phones whilst driving.

Text messaging or chatting on the phone distracts motorists' attention and can result in serious injury or death, according to Shadow Transport Minister Michael Fahy.

Senator Fahy said use of cell phones by motorcyclists was of particular concern, with constant texting a practice "almost unique to Bermuda".

"It is very apparent that the growing use of cell phones whilst driving is another serious accident waiting to happen on Bermuda's roads," he said yesterday.

"I call on the Government to introduce in the next Parliamentary session, legislation banning the use of cell phones whilst driving on motorcycles, and banning the use of cell phones in other vehicles without an approved hands-free kit."

Senator Fahy said: "The phenomenon of the use of cell phones on bikes seems to be almost unique to Bermuda, where we constantly see people texting whilst driving their bikes, or a phone shoved in a helmet.

"It is only a matter of time before serious injury or death results from this poor driving habit."

He said: "Over the past six months the United Bermuda Party has made numerous proposals on ways to improve road safety, many of which have received support from the Road Safety Council and other road safety advocates.

"The level of inattentive driving has increased considerably with the widespread use of cell phones. Text messaging is causing drivers to take their eyes off the road leaving vehicles travelling without proper care.

"We recognise that many businesses use cell phones for deliveries and business generally. However, there are many bluetooth and voice-activated devices that can be used, which can reduce the levels of distraction for drivers.

"Legislation should reflect the fact that technology can be used to reduce the distraction caused by cell phone use. We believe that such legislation will receive cross-party support. At least one Independent Senator, Joan Dillas-Wright, has voiced support for similar legislation."

Sen. Fahy said: "I am aware that the Bermuda Police Service has ticketed some people for driving without due care and attention whilst texting on their cell phones, but these are few and far between. The fact is that it is just a matter of time before someone is killed on Bermuda's roads because of texting whilst driving.

"We need to put some measures in place to be proactive rather than reactive. By calling for this we can generate debate and make people aware of the dangers of this kind of behaviour. It is a great opportunity for some cross-bench legislation.

"Every person you speak to will relay a story of someone passing them on a bike whilst the rider is texting and not paying attention. This poor driving behaviour needs to stop."

Yesterday Dr. Christopher Johnson, chairman of the Road Safety Council, said: "Whilst the efficacy of banning cell phone use is unclear, we believe that given the present level of traffic collisions and related deaths and injuries, the implementation of a cell phone ban is inevitable.

"Texting whilst riding or driving is a particularly dangerous and common practice that should be banned without hesitation."

Premier Dr. Ewart Brown's Press Secretary Glenn Jones said: "Sen. Fahy's comments sound reasonable to me. I have heard some of the same things said in the halls of Government offices.

"The Ministry of Tourism and Transport, via its Transportation Control Department, is already working with the Ministry of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing on a raft of strategic road safety measures. A discussion paper will soon go before Cabinet so that Cabinet can agree on which measures it would like to see move forward for the next Parliamentary session.

"The dangerousness of using cell phones while driving, along with similar technologies like blackberries, I-Pod's, pagers and PDA's will all be covered in the paper for Cabinet's consideration."

And Junior Transport Minister Marc Bean said he also welcomed Sen. Fahy's comments and concurred with those of Mr. Jones.

According to a recent study by the American Automobile Association (AAA), the risk of a car accident increases by 50 percent for people who text while driving.

In the US, talking on handheld cell phones whilst driving is illegal in California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands.

Up to 17 states and the District of Columbia have banned text messaging for drivers.

The federal US government is now threatening to withhold highway funds to states which refuse to ban texting. Legislation introduced in the Senate last month would mean states had two years to ban texts and email messages by drivers, or face cuts in funding by 25 percent a year.

In the UK, there is a blanket ban on using handheld cell phones whilst driving. The law, which came into effect in 2003, imposes fines plus three penalty points on the motorist's licence.