The Shropshire Star newspaper has conducted a survey revealing that 39 per cent of drivers admit to illegally checking their phone whilst driving. This is regardless of the fact that 94 per cent acknowledged it was dangerous.

Also, nearly one in 10 motorists admitted to searching the internet while driving.

The Shropshire Star reports; Police and crime commissioner for West Mercia, Bill Longmore, said he was concerned by the figures, adding that it only took a momentary lapse of concentration to cause a tragedy.

 Mr Longmore, who served as a police officer for 30 years, said any road traffic officer would testify that even a momentary distraction could have tragic consequences. “It only needs a second for that to happen,

 “However tempting it may be to take an important call, or send a quick text, I assure you anyone who has seen the devastation it can cause wouldn’t take that chance.

“They put additional strain on the NHS, ambulance services and police, and can cost a phenomenal amount of public money. However, the pain for families when a loved one is killed or seriously injured is the biggest cost of all.

“I would plead with people to focus on driving, stay safe, and not take that unnecessary risk behind the wheel.”

The survey of more than 600 people found that a quarter of drivers admitted to sending or reading text messages while driving.

The Government has announced plans to increase the penalties for people caught using their phones while driving, but two thirds of those who took part in the survey said these measures did not go far enough.

The Shropshire Star reports; Anna Higgins, of West Mercia’s Safer Roads Partnership, said it was a concern that while most people agreed using a mobile while driving was dangerous, a significant number continued to do so.

“Using a mobile phone at the wheel, including calls, texts, internet, sat-nav or radio, is illegal and a dangerous distraction,” she said. “As well as risking a £100 fine and three penalty points on their licence, just a split second distraction could have devastating consequences.”

She advised motorists to keep their phones out of reach while driving, adding: “Distractions are even more dangerous at this time of year when visibility is already reduced due to darker mornings and evenings and weather conditions.”

The figures come days after transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the Government was looking to increase penalties for people caught flouting the law which bans using hand-held phones while driving.

The government is proposing to increase the fixed penalty fines for those driving while using mobile phones from to £150.

The number of penalty points added to offenders’ driving licences would increase from three to four – or six points for drivers of larger vehicles such as HGVs.

According to government figures, phone use was a contributing factor in 21 fatal collisions and 84 serious collisions in 2014.