We explore dangerous things people do whilst in control of a vehicle, after it has emerged that one in ten drivers have taken a selfie in the past month.

Shocking things people do behind the wheel 

Almost 10% of drivers admit to taking a selfie whilst behind the wheel of a car in the past month. Those aged between 25 and 35 are the most likely to act irresponsibly, with 19% admitting to taking a selfie whilst driving in the past month. Men are also more likely to take selfies whilst driving compared to women, with 12% of men admitting to doing it compared with 5% of women. Drivers also admitted to using their mobile phones to make video calls and catch up on TV programmes. Despite the increasing tendency to use mobile phones behind the wheel, convictions have actually fallen by as much as 40% in 2014.

Dangerous things people have been caught doing whilst driving

Using a mobile phone isn’t the only distracting thing people have done whilst driving. 46% of women admitted to applying make-up whilst driving, drivers have been caught reading, eating cereal behind the wheel  and playing instruments when they’re meant to be driving. Then there are the obvious things such as driving whilst intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, which are illegal.

Eating and applying make-up behind the wheel of a car, whilst not illegal in the UK, can result in a fine if the police feel that it is significantly affecting driving. The decision to prosecute is at the discretion of the police officer, and if the driver’s attention is thought to be far below the standard required, they may be found guilty of dangerous driving, an offence which carries the penalty of a £5000 fine and/or six months in prison. If death is caused by dangerous driving, the driver could face up to 14 years in prison.

France has recently cracked down on careless motoring habits, and anyone caught eating at the wheel will face a fine of up to £50, and it will also be illegal to apply make-up, read a map or listen to excessively loud music.