The report concludes that legislation banning the use of cells phones while driving has not shown to reduce the number of collisions. The report also says cell phone use while driving has less risk than many other distractions, including eating, using computers or tending to children in the back seat.

A private members bill was introduced in the Alberta legislature last week proposing a ban on cell phones while driving unless the phone is set up for hands-free operation.

But Premier Ed Stelmach quickly spoke out against such a law, arguing that police officers have told him in the past that cell phone laws would be difficult to enforce.

Stelmach requested a study of this issue last fall and the completed report was released with little fanfare Monday on the ministry of transportation website.