Although talking on the phone while driving may be safe for a select few, new research has found that an overwhelming majority of motorists are putting their life in their hands by using their cell phone in transit.

According to a recent University of Utah study, only 2.5 percent of people – known as supertaskers – can successfully drive while simultaneously using their cellular telephone, Health Day News reports.

“Given the number of individuals who routinely talk on the phone while driving, one would have hoped that there would be a greater percentage of supertaskers,” said study co-author and psychologist Jason Watson.

“And while we’d probably all like to think we are the exception to the rule, the odds are overwhelmingly against it,” he added.

In the study, the research team analyzed 200 people who took part in a simulated freeway driving session. Watson and his colleagues were shocked to find that nearly every participant took 20 percent longer to hit the brakes while talking on the phone than they did while driving normally.

Moreover, their memory performance, math skills and ability to properly follow the vehicle in front of them suffered considerably.