A YOUNG woman driver sent text messages on her mobile phone to her husband and a friend just minutes before the crash which killed her.

Now Buckinghamshire coroner Richard Hulett is supporting a ban on mobile phones being used by drivers. He said at the inquest into the death of 32-year-old Michelle Williams, of Maybush Gardens, Prestwood, that it was the 'probable' cause of her death.

Mr Hulett said there are 'good grounds' for a total ban on using mobile phones in the car.

He said: "It's not safe and it must be a distraction, whether you are having a conversation or sending a text message, people should be aware of the dangers."

A High Wycombe inquest heard on Tuesday that Mrs Williams' Alfa Romeo crashed into a 32-ton lorry on the B485 Missenden Road, Chesham, at about 7.15am on March 12.

Text messages were sent within minutes of the crash. Mr Hulett said there was a high probability using the phone would have reduced Mrs William's attention to the road.

He said: "The phone was being attended to. [She] sent two text messages and retrieved her voicemail minutes before the collision."

Thames Valley Police Senior Intelligence Investigator Doreen Forrest looked at a mobile phone bill for Mrs Williams, area bank manager for The Bank of Scotland. She found:

7.11am: Mrs Williams sends text message to friend Nichole Larkins

7.13am: She checks her voicemail

7.14am: She send a text message to her husband

7.15am: Mrs Williams collides with a lorry

Lorry driver Warren Wetton, of Kings Langley, had been driving his Volvo lorry on the B485 when he saw a silver Alpha Romeo travelling towards him in the opposite direction. He said that despite a bend in the road, the car was heading straight toward him and he could not see anyone driving, so he tried to head up a grass verge. He said: "I didn't even have time to touch the brakes as the vehicle impacted the front of the lorry which rode up in the air over the car."

Mr Hulett gave a verdict that she died by 'reason of an accident' and said there was no evidence of excessive speed by either driver.

He said: "What is a plain fact is that she was distracted by something."

Sergeant Phil Haseler, of Amersham Traffic Police, also supports a ban.

He added: "At the moment using a mobile while driving is not illegal. If someone is using a mobile phone while driving and their driving seems to be affected by it we have to look at prosecuting for things like driving without due care and attention. Motorists should not use a mobile phone while driving unless they have a hands free set and even then should pull over somewhere safe."