Drivers may be taking action that could be placing them and other road users at risk, it has been revealed.

New research by Carrentals.co.uk found more than one in seven drivers have asked their passenger to hold the steering wheel for them, while almost 90 per cent have held the wheel with their knees in order to do something else.

However, 25 per cent of those surveyed admitted that they know someone who has been involved in an accident through careless driving, the firm noted.

Commenting on the findings, Gareth Robinson, managing director of the company, said the survey had shown "how common" it is for drivers to "do other things" while behind the wheel.

"The variety of activities that take place behind the wheel is vast, but our main concern was for road safety," Mr Robinson stated.

New careless driving laws introduced by the government "are very welcome", he added.

The laws, announced by the Ministry of Justice last month, are aimed at cracking down on drivers who kill through careless behaviour, such as using a mobile phone or applying makeup.

Drivers without car insurance are also targeted by the new legislation.

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