A rise in lane change collisions is mainly due to distracted drivers, according to research by UK-based Accident Exchange.

The research found that one in 14 accidents this year happened due to lane change collisions, which have increased by 29.5% since 2010.

"One in 14 accidents this year happened due to lane change collisions, which have increased by 29.5% since 2010."

Among the different types of accidents, a collision where a vehicle is struck or sideswiped by another vehicle from a different lane has increased from 5.53% in 2010 to 7.16% this year.

The increase in these lane change errors are linked to the increased use of smartphones and in-car connectivity devices by drivers, which reduces their reaction time by approximately 50% and makes the chances of an accident four times as likely.

Accident Exchange sales development director Liz Fisher said: "We have seen steady growth in the number of accidents resulting from errors made when changing lanes.

"Lane changes demand a driver’s full attention and swift reactions but too many drivers are diverting their focus from the road and putting themselves, and other road users, at risk.

"Time spent using a mobile or hastily following instructions from a sat-nav system can prevent a driver from making the necessary checks before merging into the next lane."

The report states that the increase in the number of crashes comes despite vehicle manufacturers such as Toyota, VW, Mercedes, Volvo and Nissan developing crash avoidance technologies such as autonomous braking and systems that detect drivers moving into another lane.