There are mounting calls for firms to impose a complete ban on drivers using phones while driving in the wake of a businesswoman being convicted of careless driving after causing an accident while thought to be using her phone hands free.

The prosecution decided the phone calls had distracted Lynne-Marie Howden enough to justify a dangerous driving charge, although she was eventually convicted of the lesser offence.

Both the Government-backed Driving for Better Business campaign and risk management firm Active Risk Management have called for drivers to switch off mobiles when driving and plan breaks to deal with calls.