MOTORISTS are still flouting the law by driving while using hand-held mobile phones. And nearly a third of those stopped for phone offences in the last nine months were aged under 25.

Of the vehicles stopped, the majority were cars but 20% were goods and trade vehicles.

One driving instructor is calling for heavier fines as a deterrent to make people think twice before breaking the law.

Yesterday afternoon between 3.15 and 3.30, four motorists were spotted driving through the Halfway filter using hand-held mobiles – two in vans, one in a lorry and one in a car.

The Road Traffic [Restriction on Use of Mobile Telephones] [Guernsey] Ordinance, 2003, prohibits anyone driving from holding a mobile telephone in any way while the vehicle is in motion on any public road, highway or place.

The legislation came into effect on 26 November and after an initial period of grace, people breaking the law have been reported for possible prosecution.

‘This clearly prohibits the use of mobile telephones for receiving incoming calls, making outgoing calls and text messaging,’ said Inspector Ashley Nicholas. Culprits can be fined up to

£500.

The use of hands-free kits is permitted.

Although actual figures cannot be revealed for operational reasons, a local straw poll indicated that 30% of people stopped for phone offences since the law was enforced were under 25.

‘It is unfortunate that drivers of motor vehicles can be seen on a daily basis continuing to use a mobile telephone while driving,’ said Inspector Nicholas.

‘Clearly, this practice distracts the driver’s attention from the safe manoeuvring of their vehicle on the road and is contrary to the law.’

Driving instructor Nick Dorey, of the Cann School of Motoring, said: ‘Lots of people are still driving with mobiles and they should not be doing it.’

He did not believe the number doing it had dropped since hand-held mobiles became illegal while driving and called for heavier fines.

‘It’s no good fining people £80 – £80 is a night out or a new pair of trainers,’ he said.

Fining people £200 or more may make them think twice, said Mr Dorey.

‘People are doing it because there are not enough police on the island to notice,’ he added.

A new RAC Legal Services survey of 2,000 people in the UK revealed that more than a third of drivers were still flouting the law by using hand-held mobile phones while driving.

And 10% of drivers admit texting on their mobiles while driving.

The latest results supported previous RAC research, which showed that 89% of UK drivers thought the hand-held mobile phone law was not changing driver behaviour.

The survey also found that 24% of people admitted to driving while tired during the last six months and a further 3% owned up to drink-driving.

In the UK, using a hand-held phone while driving was outlawed in December and carries a fine of up to £1,000.