DURING a week-long blitz, Hampshire police stopped hundreds of motorists using mobile phones while driving.

A total of 204 motorists were caught using their mobile phone behind the wheel during a week-long crackdown in the county.

Of those stopped 166 were men, 180 were issued with fixed penalty notices, 132 were driving cars and 61 were driving vans.

Most of the stops, 130, happened on urban roads, with 55 stops happening on motorways.

The week of action also saw another 17 drivers stopped for being distracted while driving.

One driver given a fixed penalty notice said he was checking his bank to see if his last payment had gone through for a fine issued after he was caught previously using his phone while driving.

Road Safety Sergeant Rob Heard said: “It is disappointing that still so many people are still taking that risk to use their phones whilst driving.

“Many lives are being put at risk by the selfish actions of these people and it is not acceptable

“Please turn your phone off and put it out of reach so you won’t be tempted.

“That moment of inattention really is the difference between life and death – it is not worth the risk.”