The key contributor to a significant rise in fatal crashes around Auckland is the cellphone. So far this year, 54 people have died on the region's roads, which are one down on the number for the whole of 2008.

According to crash investigators, there is subjective proof that more motorists are talking and texting on cellphones while behind the wheel.

There are lots of dangers of talking on cellphone while driving.

Auckland City road policing manager Inspector Gavin Macdonald says: "If a child walks out in front of a car, drivers have only a couple of milliseconds to react, and if they are on the phone it's even worse."

The law, as of now, does not prohibit a person from talking or texting on the phone while driving. However, the police - in case it finds the driver driving recklessly or dangerously - can enforce the Land Transport Act.

The Transport Minister said that if it were in his hands, he would ban the use of cell phones while driving as early as possible.

He specified that before any change, a process must be followed, which also includes public consultation.

He continued that he was expecting a public consultation report by the end of June - but that's running a bit late.

He said that, nevertheless, he is sure to have the report by the end of the week; and he still hopes to have a cellphone ban in place by September or October.