How many drivers speed up when approaching traffic lights that are about to change to red?

Well, according to a new study more than four in five motorists have attempted to drive through amber lights, putting road safety at risk.

The survey, carried out by the Thrifty Car & Van Rental company, shows that 85% of the 3,000 drivers polled said they have raced to beat an amber signal before it went red.

There are several worrying things with the obtained data. One is that more than a third (35%) of "amber gamblers" - as these drivers are dubbed by the firm - were not aware they were breaking the law in doing so.

Another one is that not even the young and freshly instructed drivers respect such a basic norm, with a proportion of motorists aged 17 taking risks as high as 88%, the study found.

The results of this Russian roulette are hardly surprising: more than one in ten (13%) motorists has had an accident or near miss as a result of sneaking through an amber signal.

Even if you are lucky enough to escape unhurt, the chances of being annoying are also high. The study says that half of the amber gamblers have been yelled at by their passengers, while more than a quarter have angered other drivers who have responded by swearing or yelling.

Amber driving comes by regions too. Motorists in Essex were most likely to come across amber gamblers, followed by those in Leeds, Coventry, Liverpool and Brighton.

But why do we drive like that? A third of drivers said they ignored amber lights because they were pressed for time, and 27% were hurrying to work. Strikingly, 7% believed they were doing other motorists a favour.

Linda Malliff, director of central services at Thrifty Car & Van Rental, said: "When it comes to chancing the lights in a rental car, it is still a very serious crime which could land the motorist a £60 fine or three penalty points. Drivers must think twice and understand that by ignoring an amber light which is about to turn red, they could be putting themselves and other road users' lives at risk."