NSW: Blitz nabs 960 drivers using mobiles in 24 hours
Drivers in the Botany Bay, Rose Bay, Hurstville, Harbourside and Kuring Gai areas were the worst offenders, while the worst regional areas were Tweed/Byron, Newcastle, Hunter Valley and Wollongong.04 Dec 2008 1:36 PM
SYDNEY, Dec 4 AAP - Police say they are disturbed more than 960 motorists have been nabbed using handheld mobile phones in a one-day traffic crackdown across NSW.
A total of 962 motorists were detected using mobiles while driving during Wednesday's 24-hour blitz, with 778 of those in the Sydney metropolitan area, NSW police said.
Police also caught 1,024 speeding motorists and issued traffic infringement notices to 365 P-platers during the operation.
Traffic Services Commander, Chief Superintendent John Hartley, said the blitz served as a warning for errant drivers to change their behaviour.
"It's extremely disappointing and disturbing to see motorists are continuing to flout the road rules and put lives at risk," Chief Supt Hartley said.
"Of particular concern to police is the number of people caught talking or texting on their phones whilst driving.
"It's impossible to fully concentrate on the road and the traffic conditions if you're on your phone or trying to send an SMS.
"Police are out in force on our roads and to those motorists intent on doing the wrong thing I send this message, `We will catch you'."
