ON a bus or a train, the mobile phone is a boon to talkative travellers and an irritant to their neighbours. In a car, the mobile phone is lethal.

No one knows precisely how many people have died in accidents caused by the driver's use of a mobile. It has been named as a contributing factor in around 20 coroners' inquests, but accident experts believe the real toll is much higher.

That is why we should be shocked by a survey which found three in five York motorists regularly use their mobile phones in the car.

Most drivers we asked have seen others performing risky motoring manoeuvres while gripping the handset to their ear. But they also admitted to answering the phone while behind the wheel.

The risks of talking on the phone while driving are obvious. Engaging in a telephone conversation is far more distracting than the passive activity of listening to the radio. And with only one hand to steer and change gear, the driver is not in control.

Our report shows that our attitudes need to change. Using a mobile phone while driving should be considered as anti-social as drink-driving.

In fact, a study by the Transport Research Laboratory last year found that motorists on their mobiles were 30 per cent more dangerous than driving over the alcohol limit. Their reaction times were significantly slower, even when using hands-free sets.

At a time when we seem to be reporting fatal traffic accidents with depressing regularity, we should be looking for every way to improve road safety.

The Government wants to ban motorists using hand-held phones. And the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Woolf, signalled last month that drivers who kill while using a phone will face longer jail sentences.

We hope the message gets through. If your mobile rings in the car, let it take a message until you can find a safe place to stop and ring back.

Updated: 11:07 Wednesday, May 28, 2003