While many Germans still promote the value of the sit-down meal, more than half of those interviewed said they often preferred their food while sitting behind the wheel and with the pedal to the metal.

Some 60 percent of those asked admitted they often snacked while cruising down the Strasse. They were followed by Dutch and Swedish motorists, according to the poll conducted by truck maker Scania.

In contrast, only every fifth Italian and Spanish motorist said they ate while driving.

German drivers also hold a poor record when it comes to using the blinker; a third of drivers saying they forget to use it.

Polish drivers appeared best behaved in the survey with only 11 per cent saying they sometimes forget to use the blinker.

On the contrary only 19 percent of Germans risked using the mobile phone while driving. But with a pretzel in one hand and the steering wheel in the other, how does one answer an incoming call?

The poll was conducted among 1,000 motorists aged between 18 and 55 in Sweden, Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Poland.