iPod videos are creating a new danger on Britain’s roads according to car hire comparator Carrentals.co.uk, which is warning drivers not to be tempted to watch video downloads while driving.

In a recent customer poll the company found that nearly 1 in 3 drivers had seen another driver watching a video on an iPod or DVD player while driving on the UK’s roads and motorways, underlining the increasing use of portable technology in cars.

The poll also found that 1 in 5 drivers know of an accident or dangerous driving caused by car and lorry drivers watching a video, highlighting the dangers of watching films, TV programmes and video podcasts on the roads.

Gareth Robinson, managing director of Carrentals.co.uk, says: “While everyone knows about the dangers of drink driving, or even driving while trying to drink hot coffee, the emergence of the iPod video has created a new set of dangers for road users. Our poll highlights the growing severity of the problem, and more needs to be done to help educate drivers and other road users about the dangers posed.

“We’ve heard reports of drivers being seen with an iPod held in a hands free kit for ease of watching, or even being taped to a steering wheel. The dangers this poses to road users speak for themselves. Any driver not fully concentrating on the road is a liability, and with the popularity of the latest iPods it is important that the issue is taken seriously.”

Carrentals.co.uk was voted Best Car Hire Website in the 2008 Travolution awards, and compares prices from over 35 leading rental providers including Alamo, Budget, Holiday Autos, and Thrifty.