Texting while driving increases your chances of crashing by more than 20 times, a road safety campaigner has told TVNZ1's Seven Sharp.
Out on the road in Auckland on Monday, the programme saw dozens of people using their phones while driving in just an hour.
Caroline Perry from the road safety charity Brake said those drivers are putting themselves, their passengers and other road users at risk.
Ms Perry said texting while driving increases your risk of being involved in a crash by 23 times.
She said 38 per cent of people surveyed admitted they used their phone to text while driving.
Seven Sharp mostly saw drivers on their phones while stopped at the traffic lights.
But once you've been distracted, it lasts much longer than just the time you've spent sending that text.
"It makes a huge difference to your abilities to recognise hazards and react to them. Your reaction times are actually slower than someone who's over the drink-drive limit," Ms Perry said.
Auckland City District Road Policing Manager Senior Sergeant Simon Welsh said driver distraction is killing people.
"I dont want you to be responsible for the death of another road user or pedestrian," he said.
Mr Welsh explained what drivers are legally allowed to do and what's banned.
"If your mobility device is in a cradle or connected to a bluetooth system within your car, you are able to legally make and receive calls. But we strongly suggest that you pull over," he said.
"It's got to be hands free. If you need to pick up your phone it's illegal."
Tips for staying off your phone while driving are to familiarise yourself with your car's bluetooth system, check your phone settings for a 'do not disturb I'm driving' function, or just put it out of sight and on silent.
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