‘Eating + driving = Food poisoning’

And motorists who munch on snacks behind the wheel are at greater risk of being infected by those bacteria,according to the research conducted for UK’s car accessories retailer Halfords,the Daily Mail reported.

Scientists testing swabs taken from a typical family car discovered bacteria bacillus cereus and staphylococcus in the interior,including the steering wheel,gear stick and door handles,it said.

Staphylococcal infections are contagious and can be transmitted from person to person. They can lead to skin infections such as impetigo and food poisoning.

Bacillus cereus is a bacteria which forms spores that can lie dormant until ideal conditions such as turning on the car heating,parking the car in the glare of the sun,or leaving food allows it to multiply rapidly spreading infection on the likes of car seats.

It is also responsible for food poisoning and can cause severe nausea,vomiting and diarrhoea,according to experts.

Dr Anthony Hilton,reader in microbiology at Aston University said: “Although many strains of bacteria are harmless,some can cause unpleasant illnesses.

“People would be horrified at the prospect of eating from a toilet seat however they ought to be aware that eating from a contaminated car dashboard may represent the same health hazards.

“It is important,particularly now the weather is becoming warmer,for people to ensure that do not leave food debris in their cars as bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Bacillus Cereus can thrive on even tiny crumbs.

“Also if you have animals in your car they can contribute to the presence of harmful micro-organisms.”

For the study,tests were carried out on car door handles,the steering wheel,gear stick knob,radio control buttons,under the seats and n car mats where shopping could be placed. The resulting sobs were analysed by an independent laboratory.

While staphylococcus was detected on the door,steering wheel and under the seats,bacillus cereus – which is found in soil and dust and was probably brought into the vehicle on the shoes of car occupants — was on the door handles,gear stick,car mats and also under the seats.

A survey,which was carried out by One Poll as part of the research,found that 70 per cent of drivers admitted eating or drinking in the car and almost half said they left food remains and drink containers in their vehicles overnight.

One in two said they cleaned the inside of the car less than once a month. Nearly half admitted to spilling food or drink in their vehicles and leaving it intending to clean up later while a third regularly carried animals in their cars.

Dr Hilton,a member of the Society for Applied Microbiology warned: “Those who eat in their cars should treat it as an extension of their home and maintain the same levels of hygiene as they would in their dining room.”

The survey revealed 58 per cent of car owners had found food remains lying around the interior when cleaning out the car.