Swindon, UK. - 56% of drivers in the South West, who currently make or receive calls on their mobile phones whilst holding them and driving, are set to fall foul of the law once the Government’s new driving legislation comes into force on December 1st 2003.

Research released today by Plantronics, the leading provider of lightweight communications headsets, has found that, over a fifth (22%) of motorists across the UK currently conduct conversations on a mobile phone whilst driving. In real terms this means a staggering seven million people in the UK are currently using a mobile phone whilst in control of a vehicle.

In the South West, 56% of those using a mobile phone whilst driving are not using a handsfree device which, come December 1st, will mean a substantial number of motorists will not only continue endangering other road users and pedestrians, but will also find themselves liable to a £30 fixed penalty, even a fine of up to £1000 and, in extreme situations, a possible jail sentence.

The research also found that 59% of motorists, who use a mobile phone whilst at the wheel of a vehicle, are unclear about the implications of the new driving law, indicating that, with a month to go before the legislation comes into force, the Government has a long way to go before its message is communicated effectively to the mass population.

“The level of confusion surrounding the new legislation has to be a major concern as we approach December 1st. The primary concern for motorists is to ensure they continue to drive in a safe and responsible manner. As such, Plantronics is recommending that, where at all possible, motorists should pull over to the side of the road when making and receiving a call.” Said Graham Tebb, Plantronics, mobile legislation spokesperson. He continued, “In certain circumstances where it is not safe to pull over to the side of the road, drivers should invest in a headset that will offer the best sound quality, enabling them to concentrate on the road and drive responsibly. We have a range of headsets with noise-cancelling technology, which improve the accuracy of voice-dialling and voice-activated services enabling compliance with the legislation “

In a campaign designed to promote awareness of the forthcoming legislation and educate motorists as to the ramifications of the new law, Plantronics has launched, www.behandsfree.co.uk, a bespoke website designed to provide motorists with all the necessary information required to ensure they fully comply with the new legislation. To promote this website and help educate the public as to the implications of this new legislation, Plantronics are running a competition on this website that gives all participants the chance to win a MINI® Cooper!

Notes to Editors:

For additional comment from a Plantronics spokesperson in relation to the new driving legislation or for further information about the range of Plantronics mobile headsets, please contact either:
Mark Ward / Ed Fleming
Republic
020 7379 5000
mark@republicpr.com or Edwardf@republicpr.com

The Research
- TNS Omninas conducted the research on a face-to-face basis.
- The research was nationwide and conducted between adults from October 3-7.
- The number of respondents participating in the research was 1,040

The statistics
The percentages of figures included within the press release are taken from Department of Transport (DfT) statistics detailing the number of people holding current licences in the UK averaged out between 1999 and 2001. The total number of people with current driving licenses in the UK during this period according to the DfT is 32.3 million.

About Plantronics
Plantronics introduced the first lightweight communications headset in 1962 and is recognized as the world leader in communications headsets. A publicly held company with approximately 2,500 employees, Plantronics is the leading provider of headsets to telephone companies and the business community worldwide. Plantronics headsets have been featured in numerous motion pictures and high-profile events, including Neil Armstrong’s historic “One small step for man” transmission from the moon in 1969. Plantronics, Inc., headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, was founded in 1961 and maintains offices in 20 countries. Plantronics products are sold and supported through a worldwide network of authorized Plantronics marketing partners. Information about the company and its products can be found at www.plantronics.com or by calling 0800 410014.