According to a new survey from road safety charity Brake and insurer Direct Line, drivers aged between 25 and 34 are taking huge risks by frequently using their mobile phone when driving. More than half of those surveyed by the companies admitted to either receiving or sending text messages whilst behind the wheel within the last year. Despite any use of a mobile phone being illegal, more than 40 per cent of respondents estimated sending and receiving text messages at least once a week. One-in-five drivers in the lower age bracket (18-24) confirmed that they send or receive texts and instant messages frequently whilst driving, with just under half admitting that they often went online or used apps _ excluding Sat-Navs _ whilst driving.æ Almost a third of motorists in this age group claimed to do so several times a week. Research by Brake showed that texting and other forms of instant messaging are actually more distracting than simply talking on a handset. æThe unique form of communication distracts the mind hand and eyes, limiting driver reactions by 35 per cent according to the research. Zoe Carvin, a teacher and mother of two, was killed when a text-reading driver hit her car. Paul Carvin, Zoe's husband, said: 'When Zoe died itæwas because someone did something stupid. It was such a pointless death. Her death affected hundreds of lives. Two children have been brought up without a mother, 30 children lost their teacher, a driver has been jailed for three years; his life will never be the same either. 'Crashes like this devastate families. They are entirely preventable.î Alice Bailey, campaigns and communications executive for Brake, said: 'Younger drivers, especially those aged between 25 and 34, simply aren't getting the message about the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving.î 'Doing any other complex task while driving hugely increases your chance of crashing. We've seen recent examples of drivers who have crashed while trying to play games like Pok_mon Go or posting Snapchat images while behind the wheel. 'These drivers are putting their own and other people's lives in grave danger by taking this risk. If a phone has to be used as a Sat-Nav, it must be programmed before setting off on the journey and properly secured. There is no other acceptable way to use a phone while driving.î