this year revealed Transport Minister Ewart Brown yesterday.

But he stressed Government was not about to ban all car phones.

He said: "It is my personal view and that of the Road Safety Council that if the phone is not hand-held, then it's not the same traffic hazard.'' And he said details on the hand-held cell phone ban were still to be hammered out.

Dr. Brown said: "The Road Safety Council recommended that we recommend it be considered a traffic offence but it hasn't gone to Cabinet yet.

"We are trying to come up with some reasonable legislation to promote road safety.'' The news was given firm backing by the Police. A spokesman said: "There is no legislation on the books but we would back it if it was put forward. Our primary concern is road safety.'' He explained that under current law, motorists spotted driving while chatting on mobile phones could be hit by other laws but there was no specific legislation at the moment.

`Driving while on phone' may be banned He said: "They can be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention or for driving without reasonable consideration for other road users.

"In each offence there is a maximum fine of $2,100.'' And he urged safe drivers to be vigilant about motorists they saw driving with a phone in their hand.

He said: "If someone sees it and reports it and is willing to go to court then we can investigate it. They need to get the registration number and the details of the time and place.'' The news of a law change was welcomed by a moped rider who contacted The Royal Gazette after suffering two near misses from drivers who were distracted by cell phone chatter.

He said: "I came very close twice to being in an accident. The first time a guy pulled out in front of me at a T-junction while he was laughing at something his mate was saying on the phone.

"I came to a complete standstill with my back wheel right up in the air.

"The second one was not dissimilar -- someone pulled out when I had right of way.''