As many as 8% of drivers are using smartphones at the wheel and some are even announcing it proudly on twitter, according to road safety charity the IAM.

IAM research shows that using smartphones for social networking while driving is more dangerous than drink driving or being high on cannabis, slowing reaction times by up to 37%.

Despite the dangers, nearly one in 10 drivers admits to using smartphones for email and social networking while driving.

The IAM’s six of the worst dangerous driving tweets:

• @bellyki Here lies Isobel. She perished while simultaneously eating a whole packet of Percy Pigs, driving down the M3 and tweeting about it.

• @sacksy1 If I'm ever in an accident while driving and tweeting and you're the first person to arrive on the scene, grab my phone and press "Send."

• @GSpace7 Multi-tasking: Driving, Tweeting & Brushing my hair. I do it. If I die remember me like John Lennon.

• @A_Ishaq who said guys can't multi-task..tweeting,@ watching match n driving wow lol

• @tchudson Im driving, tweeting, smoking, talking and listening to @BBCR1 Ill listen to it via the #beats when I stop breaking the law. Safe!

• @Beckstah You wouldn't think I was actually driving on the motorway the amount I've been tweeting. Better concentrate on the road. Good day, twitter

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: “That someone should risk their life on the motorway to announce to the world that they are eating percy pigs is simply staggering.

“The government must take the lead and make sure that motorists understand the dangers of using smartphones. Phone manufacturers and social network operators can also help reinforce the safety message.”

 

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