by Jo Earle

jearle@thekmgroup.co.uk

A shocking two thirds of motorists in Kent have admitted driving dangerously in the last month, a study revealed today.

Sainsbury's car insurers say that one in nine drivers on our roads use a non hands-free mobile phone and more than 1 in 20 are sending text messages whilst at the wheel despite it being illegal.

The new research also reveals rocketing numbers of people driving without a seatbelt, driving after the night before and road rage.

Ben Tyte, a car insurance expert involved in the research, said: "In the last month alone, people are freely admitting to a real catalogue of bad habits and that comes down from complacency and knowing the area very well. These things do creep in.

"While Britain's roads maybe slightly more safe than other countries in Europe and around the world there are still 2,500 people killed on the roads every day.

"Texting and using your mobile phones are two absolutely avoidable things that are illegal and are very well publicised.

"It's something that hasn't come down and something we are concerned about.

"And, it seems male drivers are more likely to embark on some sort of dangerous driving than women.

"As the study showed nationally an estimated 10.3 million male drivers commited an offence compared to 8.7 million female drivers."

He added: "Really we consider dangerous driving to be anything that distracts driver's attention and anything that prevents drivers driving in a normal way.

"A lot of them can be easily avoided."

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