More than one in five people use non-hands-free mobile phones to take a call or text whilst driving, new research suggests.

One in five people use their phone behind the wheel, according to HPL Motors

The analysis by used car specialists HPL Motors also found that more than one in 10 people had listened to music through headphones when driving.

HPL Motors managing director Jonathan Herman said: “Despite the laws in place to prohibit the use of mobile phones at the wheel, and the hands-free technology that allows us to avoid this, our data shows that people are still taking risks. With the rise of social media and the world being constantly connected, the temptation to reach for our mobile phones whilst driving is greater than ever. Our data shows that it’s not just mobile phones; people are also listening to music through headphones, which can be extremely dangerous as it blocks out all external noise.”