Recent data from the firm, a specialist in delivering driver safety and compliance solutions, has found that drivers who eat and drink while driving are 3.6 times more likely to be involved in a collision than those who don’t.

The data shows that eating and drinking while driving is nearly as dangerous as using a mobile device, which makes drivers 4.7 times more likely to be involved in a collision.

Last week it was reported that Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin is looking at plans to double the penalty points in the current sanction to six. The move has been recommended by Metropolitan Police chief Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe following the first increase in deaths and injuries from dangerous driving on the Capital's streets in more than a decade. 

Lytx Europe general manager Paul Jones said: ‘We know that distracted driving is a significant factor in vehicle collisions. Our predictive analytics show that distractions, which include eating and drinking and use of mobile devices, are among the leading causes of collisions. The message is to remove all distractions and focus on driving safely. Getting into a collision and potentially causing serious injury simply isn’t worth it.

‘Over 1,700 people were killed and more than 180,000 people were injured on UK roads in 2013, according to the most recent Department for Transport figures. The fact is that the majority of these incidents are due to human error and are avoidable. We’re dedicated to using our technology to help professional drivers adopt safer driving habits and measurably reduce the risk that is happening on our roads every day.’