London, England - Drivers are putting lives at risk by taking ‘selfies’ while behind the wheel.
According to a survey published in the UK on Thursday, one in 14 drivers (seven per cent) admitted to taking a photograph of themselves at the wheel.
The worst culprits were 18 to 24-year-olds, with one in nine of younger drivers confessing to the risky practice.
And nearly one in 10 of that age group said they had logged on to social media sites while driving, said the survey of 2000 drivers commissioned by the insurance price comparison site Confused.com
The ‘selfie’ driving practice was condemned by road safety charities Brake and the Institute of Advanced Motorists.
“This is a case of selfie selfishness.”
Laura Woods of Brake said: “Using a phone in any way at the wheel dramatically increases the risk of crashing and killing or seriously injuring somebody.”
The Institute of Advanced Motorists called for a police clampdown on drivers who use a mobile phone at the wheel. The fines for culprits were increased from £60 (R1077) to £100 (R1795) in August 2013 last.
Confused.com said there were hashtags prompting social media users to take photos of themselves and post them online when behind the wheel.
Spokesman Gemma Stanbury said: “Taking your eye off the road, just for a second, to read an alert or take a photo can have potentially fatal results.”
Daily Mail