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| Coma cyclist Mary Bowers' father wants hands-free device ban | Coma cyclist Mary Bowers' father wants hands-free device ban |
| (2 days later) | |
| The father of a cyclist who was left in a coma after she was knocked off her bike has said using hands-free devices while driving should be banned. | The father of a cyclist who was left in a coma after she was knocked off her bike has said using hands-free devices while driving should be banned. |
| Times journalist Mary Bowers was cycling to work in London when she was struck by a lorry in November 2011. | Times journalist Mary Bowers was cycling to work in London when she was struck by a lorry in November 2011. |
| The driver was using a hands-free mobile phone and did not see Miss Bowers in front of his truck. | The driver was using a hands-free mobile phone and did not see Miss Bowers in front of his truck. |
| Her father Peter Bowers, from East Malling in Kent, claimed hands-free devices distracted drivers. | Her father Peter Bowers, from East Malling in Kent, claimed hands-free devices distracted drivers. |
| Cambridge history graduate Miss Bowers, a gifted musician, cannot move or speak and faces spending the rest of her life in a nursing home. | Cambridge history graduate Miss Bowers, a gifted musician, cannot move or speak and faces spending the rest of her life in a nursing home. |
| 'Little difference' | 'Little difference' |
| Doctors have said she is unlikely to live beyond the age of 35. | Doctors have said she is unlikely to live beyond the age of 35. |
| In December, lorry driver Petre Beiu, 40, was found not guilty of dangerous driving but convicted of careless driving at Snaresbrook Crown Court. | In December, lorry driver Petre Beiu, 40, was found not guilty of dangerous driving but convicted of careless driving at Snaresbrook Crown Court. |
| He was fined £2,700 and banned from driving for eight months. | He was fined £2,700 and banned from driving for eight months. |
| It is illegal in the UK to ride a motorcycle or drive using a hand-held phone with offenders facing disqualification or a fine of up to £2,500. | |
| It is legal to use hands-free phones, sat-navs and two-way radios while driving or riding but the police have the power to stop and penalise users they think are distracted and not in control of the vehicle. | |
| Mr Bowers said he thought the less serious charge of careless driving over the crash which injured his daughter sent the wrong message. | |
| "Although it is legal to use a hands-free set at the moment, the research shows that actually, in terms of distraction, there is very little difference between a hand-held mobile phone and a hands-free one," he said. | "Although it is legal to use a hands-free set at the moment, the research shows that actually, in terms of distraction, there is very little difference between a hand-held mobile phone and a hands-free one," he said. |
| The Times newspaper launched a cycle safety campaign following the incident. | The Times newspaper launched a cycle safety campaign following the incident. |
| A spokeswoman for the Department for Transport said: "Driving needs concentration and motorists must be in proper control of their vehicle at all times. | A spokeswoman for the Department for Transport said: "Driving needs concentration and motorists must be in proper control of their vehicle at all times. |
| "If they are not, they risk putting lives at risk and will face prosecution. | "If they are not, they risk putting lives at risk and will face prosecution. |
| "The government recently introduced a new offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving - carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison." | "The government recently introduced a new offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving - carrying a maximum penalty of five years in prison." |