Road safety research
Mobile phones, distraction and heavy vehicles – what the research tells us
Last reviewed: 2 October 2025
Mobile phone use behind the wheel remains one of the leading causes of driver distraction, and the risks are amplified for heavy vehicle drivers. Decades of research confirm that even brief lapses of attention significantly increase crash risk, while new studies show that enforcement, workplace policy, and technology together can dramatically reduce unsafe behaviour.
What the research shows
Visual and manual phone tasks such as reading a message, typing, or scrolling cause the most dangerous forms of distraction. Drivers performing these tasks are more likely to drift from their lane, miss hazards, and react more slowly to unexpected events, according to a systematic review by the National Road Safety Partnership Program (NRSPP). Naturalistic driving studies also show that mobile phone use is a factor in around 22% of all crashes and near-crashes, and as high as 71% of truck incidents, due to the extended time drivers spend off-task (NRSPP research).
Even hands-free conversations, while safer than manual use, still impair attention and decision-making. A major literature review found that talking on a mobile phone while driving increases crash risk by around four times regardless of whether the phone is handheld or hands-free (NRSPP report). Meanwhile, seemingly minor actions such as reaching for a phone can raise crash risk fivefold because both eyes and hands are diverted from the task of driving (Beyond the Phone – NRSPP).
Enforcement and behaviour change
Stronger enforcement has also been shown to change driver behaviour. Since 2021, several states and territories have introduced mobile phone detection cameras, with early evaluations showing a rapid decline in offences over time where the cameras are deployed. Consistent enforcement increases the “certainty of detection”, which researchers identify as one of the most effective deterrents against illegal phone use.
Technology and workplace systems
Technology can help reduce risk, but only when used as part of a wider safety system. The National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) recommends that drivers secure phones in a mounted cradle and use voice commands or vehicle-integrated systems to control them. Employers should implement clear policies requiring drivers to set up navigation, calls, and playlists before starting a trip, and to enable “Do Not Disturb” modes so notifications don’t tempt them while driving. The NHVR also advises against using noise-cancelling headphones, which can mask emergency sirens and traffic sounds (NHVR distraction guidance).
Telematics and in-cab safety technology are increasingly part of the solution. Tools like driver-monitoring cameras and fatigue-distraction detection systems can alert drivers in real time and support coaching programs. These technologies are most effective when combined with positive reinforcement rather than punitive approaches (NHVR good practice guide).
Responsibilities for employers and operators
For heavy vehicle operators, the law goes further than individual driver responsibility. Under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, businesses have a Chain of Responsibility duty to manage distraction risk proactively. This includes designing schedules that do not pressure drivers to use phones on the move, providing safe rest breaks, and integrating phone use policies into their Safety Management Systems. Resources such as the Mobile Phone Use in Vehicles Policy Guide can help fleets create effective policies and training programs.
Where more research is needed
While the short-term effects of distraction are well-established, there is still limited evidence on how combinations of interventions such as enforcement, telematics, and training work together in the long term. Early studies suggest that apps which automatically block notifications while driving can reduce distraction, but uptake remains inconsistent (Mixed-methods study on distraction-prevention apps).
Key takeaway
The evidence is clear: manual and visual phone tasks are among the most dangerous things you can do while driving. Combining strong enforcement, clear workplace policies, pre-trip planning, and smart use of technology is the most effective way to keep truck drivers, fleets, and road users safe.