Many university students drive while using their mobile phones, most break the speed limit, and a significant number also drink drive, according to a survey commissioned by Ford.

Research shows that worldwide, car crashes are the leading cause of death among young people, and in Europe, young people are almost twice as likely to be killed on roads compared with the average person.

Of those surveyed, 43% admitted sending texts, 38% swipe through apps, and 36% take calls. Also, 60% speed and 13% drink drive. By comparison, of those who left school at 18, 45% admitted speeding, 9% drink driving, and 41% using their mobile phones while driving.

The findings of the survey of 2,313 young people, who either study at university or left school at 18, were published as students across Europe prepare for Freshers’ Week, when new undergraduates traditionally begin a heady round of partying to mark the start of their university life.

Through its Ford Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) programme, the manufacturer offers free training for young drivers. By the end of 2016, this programme will have trained more than 20,000 drivers across 13 countries in Europe.

Jim Graham, manager of Ford DSFL, said: “Getting to university is an incredible achievement and it is also where many of us make some of our strongest friendships. But we want to make sure these are lifelong friendships and help to ensure that these young people can one day look back with pride on a successful graduation.

“It is crucial students, and all young people, understand the terrible consequences, both for themselves and for others, that taking risks behind the wheel can lead to.”

University can be a demanding time socially as well as academically and the survey revealed that many students were also tempted to take further risks when driving.

Of those surveyed:

• 48% said they would be tempted to drive a car overloaded with friends
• 75% would be tempted to drive after little or no sleep
• 28% would be tempted to get into a car driven by someone they knew had been drinking

Overall, 30% of university students admitted they had been in an accident, compared with 25% of those who left school at 18.