Almost half of drivers talk on the phone while at the wheel, a survey showed today.

Of the 48% who phone and drive, two in three illegally use hand-held mobiles, the poll by road safety charity Brake and insurance company Direct Line found.

As many as 25% phone and drive at least once a week, with 44% of young motorists and 27% of older ones admitting to texting while driving.

Also, 41% of young drivers owned up to using hand-held phones compared with 30% of older drivers.

Overall, men (50%) were more likely to to use phones while driving than women (47%).

A total of 21% of young drivers email, go online or use apps while at the wheel, compared with 9% of older drivers.

Brake deputy chief executive Julie Townsend said: "Use a phone while driving and you are taking a horrendous risk with your own life and the lives of others.

"Many drivers who wouldn't dream of drink-driving are using phones while driving, oblivious that the effect on your reaction times can be similar.

"We're urging people to drive smart, recognising that phone use at the wheel can and does destroy lives and that no call or text is ever that important.

"If you need to use your phone urgently, pull over somewhere safe first - it's as simple as that."

She went on: "We are also calling on the government to do more to tackle phone use at the wheel, including banning hands-free phones and bringing in far stiffer penalties."

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said: "The vast majority of drivers know that they should not use a mobile while driving.

"To ensure that the penalty for using a mobile at the wheel acts as an effective deterrent to drivers, we are increasing the fine for the offence from £60 to between £80 and £100 later this year.

"I would appeal to all drivers - don't risk your life or your licence for the sake of a phone call or a text."

A total of 841 people were surveyed.