Texting and talking while driving claimed 23 lives and caused 74 serious injuries in the UK last year. Research by the road safety charity Brake and Direct Line found that 28 per cent of drivers text at the wheel, with 8 per cent doing this at least once a week.

Brake is now working with Telsis DriveSafe during Road Safety Week to launch a service that works on any mobile phones to automatically lets callers and texters know that someone is driving. They are urging network operators to get on board.

“People who text at the wheel are taking enormous risks with their own and other peoples lives. This kind of irresponsible behaviour is illegal and it kills so there should be no excuses,” said Sarah Fatica, general manager at Brake.

“We would like to see UK mobile networks playing their part and looking seriously at technologies that could lessen the temptation so many of their customers feel to talk and text while driving.”

Telsis says DriveSafe not only gives mobile networks a way of exercising social responsibility, but enables companies with vehicle fleets to enforce phone use policy and negotiate discounts with insurers.