the dailymash

The RAC Foundation found average reaction times slowed by 35% when people drove at motorway speeds, while preparing a hearty Scotch broth or creamy lobster bisque.

However, this figure fell to 25% for a chilled gazpacho on a dual carriageway and just 17% for drivers rustling up a simple beef consommé near a school.

Police say the problem of making soup behind the wheel has increased in recent years with more drivers texting recipes to each other.

Julian Cook, head of safety at the RAC, said: "Too many people these days regard their car as a one tonne, high speed Poggenpohl kitchen.

"We saw one driver perform a very dangerous undertaking manoeuvre on the M1 at Northampton last week because he was frying off some onions for his girlfriend's cheeseburger."

He added: "If you must cook while driving please limit yourself to a cold starter where it's really just a bit of assembly and a final decorative flourish."

According to the RAC, soup-driving is more dangerous than drug-driving, but less dangerous than driving while being mauled by a cheetah.