Mobile phone manufacturers could be legally required to fit devices that stop people using their handsets while driving, transport minister Melanie Schultz has told the AD.

The government is looking at measures to cut the number of deaths and injuries caused by drivers being distracted by their phones. Around 600 fatal or serious incidents a year are linked to people making calls or using social media behind the wheel.

At the moment motorists only break the law if they pick up their phones while driving, but research shows that even hands-free use significantly increases the risk of an accident. Schultz said she would look into the feasibility of a total ban.

‘Even if you look at your device for a few seconds you’ll have covered a couple of football pitches in your car,’ she said. ‘You see motorists now whose attention is constantly directed towards their phone in its holder rather than the road. So we need to keep looking. A ban is one option.’

Schultz said she would consider technological solutions, such as making phones switch off certain functions when travelling. ‘We’re going to have talks with the telecoms companies about it,’ she said. ‘If you’re catching Pokemons the phone switches off when you go too fast.’