Dozens of motorists flout cellphone law

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Police are about to get tougher on drivers who use cellphones while driving.

Almost a week since the law went into force, dozens of motorists have already been slapped with $80 fines and 20 demerit points – despite police using a "softly-softly" approach.

No official figures are available and most cases are still being logged on a national database, but the number of fines is likely into the dozens.

National road safety manager Superintendent Paula Rose said staff had been told that a period to allow the "bedding in" of the legislation was appropriate. "We certainly have gone into this with a softly-softly approach but that will come to an end. We are not sending out a memo saying day 10, get everyone, but it will be time for professional judgment.

"We have heard every excuse in the book. They won't all work from now on." Hundreds of motorists had been stopped.

Some claimed ignorance of the law, while others had a momentary lapse. "In most cases, we give them pamphlets and information and a wee warning, but with some, fines and even harsher action has been needed," Mrs Rose said. "It takes a while for people to re-educate themselves, but they know now.

"There certainly have been more warnings issued than notices but that will all change."

Drivers are banned from using cellphones unless the phones are in a mounting cradle, or they have hands-free kits.

- © Fairfax NZ News