THE Government is preparing to compile a comprehensive picture of how many accidents involve drivers using mobile phones at the wheel.

Lord Falconer, a minister in the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, said data collection review teams are considering the need to carry out detailed analysis on the number of accidents that involve drivers talking on mobile phones.

He said: 'Two research projects currently under way will help to establish the likely numbers of road traffic accidents involving mobile phones. One project involves carrying out an analysis of police fatal road accident reports that identify distractions as a contributory factor.'