Your phone beeps – a message has come through. You’re driving along, so you wait until the red light before taking a peek.

Once you’ve read it, you can’t resist: you just have to reply. Even if you’re some kind of texting genius who can bash out a message without looking, you could be in line for a crash.

Texting and driving is illegal and we’re told it’s dodgy. Even if you’re stopped at the traffic lights, it’s still against the law. You have to be parked. But where’s the proof that texting and driving is dangerous?

Monash University carried out a study for the NRMA by strapping some young drivers (18-21 year olds) into a driving simulator and letting them text away while attempting to drive.

The results showed that the amount of time drivers spent with their eyes off the road increased by up to 400 per cent.

Drivers sending text messages just weren’t looking where they were going for 12 seconds out of every 30.

They were much less able to maintain their position on the road, detect hazards or see and respond properly to traffic signs. In fact, drivers would veer out of their lane 63 per cent more frequently while texting.

The scariest result was that the drivers didn’t reduce their speed while distracted: they were looking down, texting away and barrelling on at their normal speed.

Is it illegal?

Yep. If you have a Learner or P1 licence, you can’t use a mobile phone at all when driving – and that includes phones in the hands-free mode or with the loudspeaker operating, and sending text messages. The penalty is a chunky fine and at least three demerit points (or four demerit points if the offence occurs in an operating school zone).