Police have warned arachnophobic drivers to take extra precautions after a woman crashed her car upon seeing a spider.

In a Facebook post, police from Cairo, New York, said the unidentified woman “panicked and crashed” after spotting the spider in the front seat.

“After investigating today’s crash on Silver Spur Road we feel it is necessary to bring up a contributing factor that is not covered too often,” police said. “We know that it is easier for some drivers than others but PLEASE, try to teach new drivers and yourselves to overcome the fear and pull over to a safe place.

“Lives depend on it.”

The police department shared a photo of the crash alongside the warning, which shows a mangled car driven off the road.

Spiders and frogs identified among 50 new species Show all 7 1 /7 Spiders and frogs identified among 50 new species Spiders and frogs identified among 50 new species This green tree frog was one of three species of frog discovered in Papua New Guinea AP Spiders and frogs identified among 50 new species A jumping spider species new to science, Tabuina varirata, and from a genus new to science, found on a conifer tree in a rainforest clearing during a Conservation International (CI) led Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) expedition of Papua New Guinea's highlands wilderness in 2008 is pictured in this undated handout photo. REUTERS/Wayne Maddison/Conservation International/Handout Spiders and frogs identified among 50 new species This Conservation International handout photo shows a bent-toed gecko, Cyrtodactylus sp. that is believed to be new to science discovered in dense rainforest in Papua New Guinea's highlands wilderness in 2008 STEVE RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images Spiders and frogs identified among 50 new species A Litoria frog, which uses a loud ringing song to call for a mate, was discovered in a rainforest during a Conservation International (CI) led Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) expedition of Papua New Guinea's highlands wilderness in 2008 REUTERS/Steve Richards/Conservation International/Handout Spiders and frogs identified among 50 new species This Conservation International handout photo shows a jumping spider species potentially new to science, Orthrus sp., found in a rainforest in Papua New Guinea's highlands wilderness in 2008 WAYNE MADDISON/AFP/Getty Images Spiders and frogs identified among 50 new species This Conservation International handout photo shows a tiny species of frog with a sharp chirping call believed to be new to science, Oreophryne sp., discovered in limestone hills in Papua New Guinea's highlands wilderness in 2008 STEVE RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images Spiders and frogs identified among 50 new species A jumping spider species, Uroballus, found in a rainforest during a Conservation International (CI) led Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) expedition of Papua New Guinea's highlands wilderness in 2008 is pictured in this undated handout photo REUTERS/Wayne Maddison/Conservation International/Handout

According to police, the woman suffered a leg injury as a result of her fear.

The police department’s safety reminder prompted other drivers to share their own experiences finding spiders or other bugs in their cars - and their own fears of the insects.

Police shared a photo of the crash to warn other drivers (Cairo New York Police Department)

“For safety measures should probably burn the car too. Just to make sure it’s really dead,” one person wrote.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events