Police blitz nabs 19 drivers

Police are concerned about the amount of people using mobile phones while driving.

David Stuart

TWEED has almost topped another driving shame list with 19 people caught using their mobile phones while driving in 24 hours.

On Wednesday police caught more than 1100 motorists across the state that were using mobile phones, speeding in school zones and ignoring children's crossings.

The Tweed Byron Local Area Command came in as the second-worst regional offender with 19 infringements, trumped only by Newcastle with 23 infringements.

Metropolitan areas fared much worse with 115 in Rose Bay and 113 in Surry Hills.

Acting Highway Patrol and Traffic Command Operations Manager Acting Superintendent Phil Brooks, warned police would continue to target bad driving behaviour, particularly using mobile phones and speeding in school zones.

"For police to catch 1146 motorists using their mobile phones and misbehaving around schools in just 24 hours is very concerning," Act Supt Brooks said.

"The effect of using a hand-held phone behind the wheel has been widely studied and is universally acknowledged to dramatically increase the risk of having a crash.

"We will continue to target motorists using their mobile phones because, clearly, by not concentrating solely on driving their vehicle and their surroundings, they are putting other road users at risk."