The local infringement figure didn't come close to the worst region of New Zealand, Metro Canterbury, which tallied 28,901 notices in 2016.
That same year in Hawke's Bay 1623 notices were issued for people not wearing seatbelts or having children unrestrained in vehicles. The monetary amount associated with these notices was $231,900.
Senior Sergeant Mike Stevenson said police wanted everyone to arrive at their destinations safely.
"Drivers need to be aware of the very real risk that distractions represent, especially texting and using mobile phones while driving. Put the phone away, or pull over."
Distractions came in many forms and included changing music, unrestrained pets, arguing children, things rolling around in the car, eating, putting on make-up and even playing musical instruments, he said.
Just this week a male motorist in Dunedin was let off with a warning after being caught playing his bagpipes while driving a car.
Acting Sergeant Bryce Johnson of Dunedin said the man was pulled over at a checkpoint playing a chanter, the finger-holed, recorder-like section of the instrument for making a melody.
''The driver didn't have their hands on the wheel at the time, and he was clearly playing the instrument while driving the car.''
Mr Stevenson said the top message police wanted to get across to drivers was to put their passengers and other road users first.
"Nobody wants to share the road with a driver who is not paying full attention."
Road Safe Hawke's Bay, a business unit of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, prescribes to evidence which suggests using a phone while driving reduces reaction times, distracts from potential dangers and affects driving performance.
Motorists are encouraged to turn their phones to silent, return texts/calls at a later time and remind family members not to use their phones when driving.