Mobile phones could soon feature a 'drive-safe' mode, in a proposed government initiative to cut road deaths.

Department for Transport (DfT) Ministers are considering employing apps that lock mobile devices when they are travelling faster than 5mph.

According to a poll by the Institute of Advanced Motorists, nine per cent of drivers admit to taking a selfie behind the wheel.

The government could request mobile phone makers install such phone-locking apps as standard.

Criticism has already been levelled at the idea, primarily because such a system may prevent people on public transport from using mobile phones. The system may also mean car passengers are unable to use their phones while in motion.

However, the Department for Transport told The Sun: "These issues can be overcome." How exactly, is not yet clear.

Ministers are keen to cut the number of mobile phone-related deaths on our roads. Between 2009 and 2014 there were 3,700 crashes connected with usage of mobile devices.

Ministers are also considering re-education courses for offenders – possibly paid for by the individuals themselves.

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at the Institute of Advanced Motorists, told The Mirror: "Forcing all drivers caught using a hand-held mobile for the first time to attend a re-education course would be a really positive step."

However, with new apps becoming available all the time to address all manner of problems, there are concerns that 'counter-apps' could become available, rendering state-sanctioned drive-safe modes inoperable.

Previous surveys, however, have suggested around 60 per cent of drivers would be happy to use a drive-safe app device.

Would you be comfortable using such an app?

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