How we all break the law every day

The average Briton breaks the law every day, according to a survey.

Millions of people who declare themselves innocent law abiding citizens actually commit around seven crimes a week.

The most common offences are speeding, texting or talking while driving, dropping litter, downloading music illegally or riding bicycles on the pavement. Other daily crimes include eating or drinking while driving, parking on pavements or not wearing a seatbelt.

More than a third of people are not at all bothered by the fact they are breaking the law, with 58 per cent of those saying the crimes are minor.

Another 20 per cent don't see them as being illegal because everyone else does it as well.

John Sewell, spokesman for www.onepoll.com, which carried out the poll, said: "It's worrying to think that so many people are breaking the law on a daily basis.

"And it's an even bigger concern that many aren't at all bothered about it.

"But these so-called minor crimes are committed so regularly, they have almost become legal, which seems to be the reason so many people aren't fazed when they do break the law."

The poll of 5,000 revealed speeding as the most common crime, with 46 per cent of people admitting to creeping over the limit.

Another 40 per cent of people text or chat while driving while 36 per cent drop litter. Areound 35 per cent get their music by downloading it from illegal websites.

More than a third of Brits have cycled on pavements instead of going on the road.

And 29 per cent admitted eating and drinking while driving and 25 per cent have even had sex in a public place.

Another 24 per cent park on a pavement to protect their car.

Nineteen per cent of people take drugs and 18 per cent don't bother to wear their seatbelt in a car.

Other crimes committed on a daily basis include parking on double yellow lines, driving through red lights and carrying a weapon of some sort.

Top 20 crimes we commit

1. Speeding

2. Talking on a mobile/texting while driving

3. Dropping litter

4. Illegally downloading music

5. Cycling on pavements

6. Eating or drinking while driving

7. Having sex in a public place

8. Parking partly on a pavement

9. Taking drugs

10. Not wearing a seatbelt

11. Having sex under the age of 16

12. Parking on double yellow lines

13. Cycling with lights after dark

14. Not cleaning up dog poo

15. Smoking in a public place

16. Driving through a red light

17. Not having a TV license

18. Not informing the DVLA of a change of address/name

19. Taking a child out of school for a holiday without the head's permission

20. Carry an offensive weapon