275 charged under new mobile phone driving law

Police have charged 275 people with using mobile phones while driving since the law change last month outlawing it.

Police released provisional figures for offence notices they have issued since the law change on 1 November banning use of hand-held mobile phones while driving.

Worst offenders are Westie - there were 58 drivers caught yakking on a  phone in West Auckland, the highest number in the country.

But since the 275 offences were  across the country, it was seen as a small number, Superintendent Paula Rose, national manager of road policing, said today.

"We have been surprised and pleased to see the way the driving public has really taken up this message around avoiding driving while using a mobile phone," she said.

"While we have been using this month to remind drivers about the new legislation, we have found that the vast majority of drivers understand the risks involved and have chosen to make the change themselves.

It is still early days yet but I am very confident that this pattern will continue although when the final numbers are processed, we may see a rise in numbers."

Offences by district:
Northland - 5
Waitemata - 58
Auckland - 55
Counties/Manukau - 18
Waikato - 7
Bay of Plenty - 25
Eastern - 5
Central- 6
Wellington - 36
Tasman - 12
Canterbury - 26
Southern - 22

- © Fairfax NZ News