Cellphone use on the rise

This driver was spotted using a cellphone while driving. Photo / Jason Dorday

The number of motorists fined for using their mobile phones while driving is rising.

Police have issued about 650 tickets a month since the ban on handheld cellphones was introduced in 2009 - but the monthly average rose to 700 in the past year.

almost 12,000 people have incurred an $80 fine and 20 demerit points.

Businessman Heath Dummett was among motorists in Auckland caught in the act by a Herald on Sunday photographer yesterday.The owner of a concrete contracting firm admitted he was "quite possibly" driving down Nelson St with his cellphone in his hand.

"I usually use an earpiece but changed trucks and left the earpiece in the office. I took the call, rightly or wrongly, but it's a small business and I couldn't afford not to."

Automobile Association motoring affairs general manager Mike Noon said the number of law-breakers was disappointing and showed people were becoming complacent about the ban.

"After it was first introduced fewer people were getting charged. We would have been hopeful that there would be a decrease."

A police spokesman said the use of cellphones while driving was an important road-safety issue.

"The number of infringement notices issued reinforces that action will be taken against drivers who are detected using cellphones."