A new research has revealed that a considerable proportion UK drivers risk their as well as others’ lives on the road by using their handsets at the wheel.

In a poll of 841 drivers, car insurance firm Direct Line and road safety charity Brake found that 28 per cent of drivers make use of the phones to send texts at the wheel, with 8 per cent admitting that they text-and-drive at least once in a week.

Around one in ten admitted that they use their handsets to surf the Internet and make use of internet-related application on the move.

Researchers warned that using a phone for texting, emailing or surfing the Internet could cause serious distractions, and increase chances of a crash by 23 times.

Julie Townsend, director of Brake campaigns, said that using phones at the wheel is illegal and there should be no excuses for the irresponsible behavior.

Speaking on the topic, Townsend said, “We are concerned that the increasing uptake of this technology could lead to more crashes and casualties caused by distracted drivers, as is happening in the US.

Townsend added that it was high time for the Government to take steps to prevent a surge in distracted driving.