Selfie craze grips motorists says IAM survey

One in 11 motorists in Britain has taken selfies while driving, a new survey has revealed.

The findings from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) showed 9% of drivers admitted taking selfies while at the wheel in the past 30 days.

That rises to 15% among young drivers between the ages of 18 and 24, and to 19% in the 25-35 age group.

IAM compiled the study by asking 500 drivers how they used their smartphones and tablets in the car.

The poll also showed 7% of drivers streamed videos on handheld devices, 8% used a video-calling application to make and receive video calls, and 18% accessed the internet.

"Everyone knows how dangerous using a smartphone or tablet is while driving. That's why it's shocking to see new trends like taking selfies and making video calls becoming common practice," said Sarah Sillars, IAM chief executive.

"Safe driving is everyone's responsibility and more must be done to catch drivers using these devices dangerously by increasing the fines and points for smartphone and tablet use at the wheel – there is simply no excuse.

"Campaigns must also be introduced that raise awareness of the prevalence of the issue in society and make this behaviour socially unacceptable as drink-driving."

A 2012 IAM study showed that smartphone use at the wheel is more dangerous than driving at the legal alcohol limit or driving under the influence of cannabis.