Mobile phone use remains a factor in many car crashes, five years after they were banned at the wheel.
And drivers who speak on a mobile may be four times more likely to crash, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has warned.
The safety charity highlighted the most recent Government road accident statistics, which cite mobile phone use as a factor in 25 fatal accidents last year.
Mobile phones contributed to a further 64 'serious' accidents and 259 'slight' accidents during 2007, though RoSPA says that the figures "almost certainly" understate the problem.
"RoSPA led the campaign to ban the use of mobile phones by drivers and as we reach the law's fifth anniversary, it is important that people do not forget the clear road safety reasons behind it," said Kevin Clinton, the charity's head of road safety.
According to recent RAC Foundation research, reaction times among 17-24-year-olds deteriorated by 35% when they texted at the wheel - a more significant effect than driving at the legal limit for alcohol (12%).
"It is disappointing that people are still being killed and injured on our roads because telephone calls or text messages are deemed more important than someone's life," Clinton added.
"Our advice to drivers is clear: switch off your phone when you get behind the wheel and let voicemail do its job."
