A poll of 1,800 senior managers and business owners commissioned by Regus, the global workspace provider, found that two-fifths of respondents admitted they have dialled into conference calls whilst driving and three-quarters regularly making calls to colleagues or customers.

A fifth of those surveyed said they have held important business discussions, tantamount to a meeting requiring concentration and decision making, whilst one of them was driving. More than one in ten has recorded verbal notes using their phone at the wheel.

John Spencer, UK CEO at Regus, commentsed: ‘The devastating consequences of being distracted whilst driving are well documented, with one study showing that those on hands-free phones are slower to brake and are as affected as “drunk drivers”. Yet our research reveals just how common it is for people to put themselves – and other road users – at risk.

‘The real issue is how employers are managing their mobile workforces. Too few companies pay adequate attention to how, and where, their teams work. Training, clear rules especially in regard to mobile devices alongside practical provisions such as drop-in workspace are all essential to ensure that staff work safely and productively.’