CALLS by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for a complete ban on using mobile phones while driving have been branded impractical and unrealistic. The safety organisation has announced plans to lobby Government officials and police chiefs for a change of law after its National Road Safety Committee decided that no driver should use a mobile - whether hands-free or hand-held - while on the road.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists described calls for a ban as 'ridiculous' and defended the occasional use of hands-free phones, saying they could reduce stress and the likelihood of dangerous driving by allowing drivers to phone ahead if running late for appointments.

IAM chief executive Christopher Bullock said: 'We would discourage any driver from using a hand held telephone when on the move. However, I consider the outlawing of car phones would be a step too far. Are we to ban chatty passengers, crying babies or even car radios?'