Cellphone and seatbelt blitz set to continue

Wairarapa police will continue a campaign aimed at drivers using cellphones after two users were caught in the region during a national two-week blitz.

The blitz was launched last week to coincide with the anniversary of the introduction of legislation banning mobile phone use while driving and to remind drivers of the risks associated with distraction while driving.

The campaign was also aimed at people not wearing seatbelts.

Senior Sergeant Carolyn Watson said police issued two infringement notices to cellphone users and 58 for people not wearing seatbelts in the region.

She said they will continue the campaign to help raise awareness through the holiday season.

National manager road policing Superintendent Carey Griffiths said that, while infringement numbers would not be known for a few weeks, it was not considered a measure of the success of the campaign.

"While enforcement is a part of the equation in getting people to change their behaviour, police don't take an increase or decrease in numbers of infringements as a success measure," he said.

"It's a success if we can generate an increased awareness among motorists of the dangers of these risks and get them to change their behaviour, which will translate to an overall reduction in crashes, deaths and injuries over time."