Twitter users a danger on the roads?

Twitter users are a danger on the roads according to esure car insurance.

But the Association of British Drivers (ABD) have hit back at the claims, saying it isn't British drivers putting road users at risk with the social networking site.

According to research by esure car insurance released today, some motorists are putting themselves and others at risk by Tweeting behind the wheel. The insurers say nearly one in ten of motorists questioned are using mobile internet services and social networks whilst driving.

To prove the point, esure released the following list of driving Tweets:

"Driving with my knees and peeling an orange...Probably not the safest thing to be doing."

"Driving school bus"

"Irresponsible twitter driving woo!"

"Driving up to Newcastle while we Tweet!"

"Driving home in the rain...almost crashed!"

"Trying my best to stay awake while driving"

"Awake, hungover, and driving"

"Is it wise to use Twitter while driving? Probably not"

"Intoxicated driving. Let's hope this works out"

"Twittering and driving..."

Mike Pickard, head of risk and underwriting at esure car insurance, said: "There is a time and a place for social networking and it certainly isn't when driving a car. Messages being posted on Twitter from behind the wheel are a real cause for concern for the safety of other motorists and pedestrians."

But the ABD has hit back at the claims, saying the research by esure's "Twittering PR is 'Only a Commercial'!"

In its own research, the ABD found many of the Tweets used by esure were not UK based:

"Driving with my knees and peeling an orange...Probably not the
safest thing to be doing."- USA

"Driving school bus"- USA

"Irresponsible twitter driving woo!"- USA

"Driving up to Newcastle while we Tweet!"- Australia

"Driving home in the rain...almost crashed!"- Australia

"Trying my best to stay awake while driving"- USA

"Awake, hungover, and driving"- USA

"Is it wise to use Twitter while driving? Probably not"- USA

"Intoxicated driving. Let's hope this works out"- USA

"Twittering and driving..."- USA

ABD spokesman Nigel Humphries said: "Whilst everyone should rightly be concerned about any unnecessary distractions to driving, using evidence from other countries in an attempt to generate a bit of publicity and incite more hysteria about British drivers is not remotely helpful.

"All drivers should make every effort to avoid all unnecessary distractions whilst driving."

ABD chairman Brian Gregory added: "If this is typical of the analytical skills of insurance companies, no wonder premiums are so high."