Bay police ping drivers on phones

SAFETY WARNING: In just two hours police issued 35 traffic infringement notices in relation to cellphone use while driving or failing to wear a seatbelt. PHOTO/FILE.

Hawke's Bay police have issued a safety warning after catching 35 drivers on their cellphones or without a seatbelt buckled in the space of two hours.

In the brief time period, which was split over two days, police issued 35 traffic infringement notices in relation to cellphone use while driving or failing to wear a seatbelt.

Police said what was most disappointing was the fact that the road users who were offending could be described as mature and experienced drivers.

Police data shows offences for using hand held devices for calling or texting while driving has more than tripled since 2010.

Last year 520 people were issued infringement notices for using phones while driving in Hawke's Bay, raking in a total $38,480 of fees associated with these notices whether they be paid, unpaid or referred to court.

The local infringement figure didn't come close to the worst region of New Zealand, Metro Canterbury, which tallied 28,901 notices in 2016.

That same year in Hawke's Bay 1623 notices were issued for people not wearing seatbelts or having children unrestrained in vehicles. The monetary amount associated with these notices was $231,900.

Senior Sergeant Mike Stevenson said police wanted everyone to arrive at their destinations safely.

"Drivers need to be aware of the very real risk that distractions represent, especially texting and using mobile phones while driving. Put the phone away, or pull over."

Distractions came in many forms and included changing music, unrestrained pets, arguing children, things rolling around in the car, eating, putting on make-up and even playing musical instruments, he said.

Just this week a male motorist in Dunedin was let off with a warning after being caught playing his bagpipes while driving a car.

Acting Sergeant Bryce Johnson of Dunedin said the man was pulled over at a checkpoint playing a chanter, the finger-holed, recorder-like section of the instrument for making a melody.

''The driver didn't have their hands on the wheel at the time, and he was clearly playing the instrument while driving the car.''

Mr Stevenson said the top message police wanted to get across to drivers was to put their passengers and other road users first.

"Nobody wants to share the road with a driver who is not paying full attention."

Road Safe Hawke's Bay, a business unit of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, prescribes to evidence which suggests using a phone while driving reduces reaction times, distracts from potential dangers and affects driving performance.

Motorists are encouraged to turn their phones to silent, return texts/calls at a later time and remind family members not to use their phones when driving.