SINGAPORE - While most motorists are aware that texting or answering their phones without a hands-free kit is dangerous, many still do, a survey has found.

The findings of the AXA Insurance Singapore's Road User Behaviour Survey, which were released on Thursday (Dec3), found a gap between what motorists saw as unsafe habits and how they actually behaved on the roads.

Among the 526 motorists polled, 93 per cent agreed that texting while driving was dangerous; however, 27 per cent admitted to still doing it.

About 85 per cent said that answering their phones without a hands-free kit was dangerous but, in reality, 37 per cent do so anyway.

Among the reasons they gave were that they felt the need to answer calls and messages - many of which were job-related- in a timely manner, .

Close to half, or 48 per cent of the respondents said that speeding was dangerous, while 63 per cent admitted to driving at more than 10 kmh above the legal limits at times.

More than 50 per cent said they speed because they are pressed for time and are rushing, and 31 per cent said it was because the roads were clear, said Ms Kwek-Perroy Li Choo, chief corporate responsibility officer of AXA Singapore.

Also, 60 per cent felt that running an amber light was dangerous, but nearly the same proportion, or 59 per cent, did so.

The survey was done by research firm Nielsen between April and May this year, via online polls and face-to-face interviews.