DRIVING down the road every day you see motorists with mobile phones stuck to their ears chattering away while using one hand to steer their car.

The simple fact is that this is dangerous, not only to you but to other people on the roads.

An inquest ruled this week that using a mobile phone was 'the probable' cause of Prestwood woman Michelle Williams' death in Chesham. Her attention was probably distracted as she used her mobile to send text messages. This is not a proven fact, but it is likely and it had tragic consequences for her and her family.

Many of us have used mobiles or bent down to turn a cassette over or even look at a map. All of these acts will affect our concentration, even if we only take our eyes off the road for a second.

But hand-held mobile phones really are the worst culprits of all when it comes to causing accidents on our roads.

Not only do people often have to scrabble about to find them as they ring, but when they do they end up getting embroiled in conversations with work or with friends that demand a lot of concentration.

You may believe your eyes are on the road, but your concentration is elsewhere and this is the real death trap.

How can anyone watch and think about what they are doing while having a full-blown telephone conversation?

It is hard enough making sure you are doing the right speed for the road conditions you are driving in as well as looking out for other motorist's mistakes, never mind chatting to a friend at the same time.

Mobile phones should be banned from being used by drivers because they are a danger to everyone.

The Government should support our police officers so that they can uphold a law that is tailor-made to catch people who are a danger on the roads. It will save lives.