VOICE-activated mobile phones could offer a solution to the problem of dialling while driving, according to one fleet boss. Company car drivers look set to be targeted by a Government campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of using mobile phones while on the move and surveys from RoSPA and PHH Vehicle Management have revealed that most people want the use of hand-held phones by drivers to be outlawed.

Eddie West, of Honeywell Control Systems, believes voice-activated in-car phone systems could be a key to lowering the risk of making calls. The company only allows its drivers to use hands-free phones.

West said: 'You have a code word to switch it on and off and you can have numbers programmed in by name. I don't have any problems with the quality of reception, most of my phone numbers are pre-dialled and, if I do want to make a call to another number, I can do so just by saying 'dial' and speaking the number. It is no different to me having a conversation with a passenger.'