How eating in the car could make you sick

A range of illness-inducing bugs are lurking in our car interiors. Photo / 123RF

If you snack at the wheel, being distracted from the road isn't the only thing you risk.

Scientists have found a range of illness-inducing bugs lurking in car interiors - and eating while driving could be to blame.

Microbiologists from the University of Nottingham swabbed a selection of vehicles and discovered strains of bacteria including staphylococcus - which causes infections - as well as one that could lead to E.coli.

And a survey revealed that while three in five motorists munch on the move, only a quarter clean their car at least once every three months. More than half admitted dropping food into the seats or footwells.

"It's worrying to see just how dirty people are letting their cars get," said Kate Rose from classifieds site Carfused.com, which commissioned the research. "With people using their cars to transport children and friends, they should take better care of them."

One in ten drivers confessed their car was a "pigsty", with the same number saying they had at some point stashed rubbish under the seats. A third had spilt drink in their vehicle while a tenth said a pet had had an accident.

Messy motorists are at least aware of their poor hygiene habits - as 10 per cent apologise to passengers for the state of their car.

However some appear reluctant to take all the blame, with a third of car owners saying their children are responsible for the clutter. A fifth of parents said there was no point cleaning up the mess because their offspring would soon drop litter again.

- Daily Mail