Experts are lining up to back the Oxford Mail's Can't Talk, I'm Driving campaign.

Thames Valley Police traffic inspector Malcolm Collis welcomed our campaign to stop drivers using mobile phones at the wheel.

Support has already come from local politicians, road safety groups and the AA.

Insp Collis said today: "Not only does the conversation distract from driving but the physical act of holding the phone can slow down a driver's co-ordination if they need to react quickly."

Amazingly, there is no law preventing a driver from using a mobile at the wheel of a vehicle.

Police can take action, but can only prosecute a driver for not having proper control of a vehicle or careless driving if they are actually spotted by an officer on the phone and driving badly.

Insp Collis said: "It's a fine balance because we know phones have a beneficial effect such as the speedy reporting of accidents, but they also have their negative side.

He said official police advice was to keep phone calls short, end difficult conversations quickly and use call divert and answering machines as often as possible.

Launched on Tuesday, the Can't Talk, I'm Driving campaign won immediate backing from Witney MP Shaun Woodward, Oxford Lord Mayor Maureen Christian, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the county's fire and ambulance services. A spokesman for the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions confirmed there was no legal ban on using phones at the wheel.

She said: "There is no specific law in place about mobiles, but they are covered under regulations relating to driving in proper control of your vehicle."