Drivers continue to be distracted behind the wheel

More than 1,000 people were ticketed for using their mobile phone while driving. Photo / File

Drivers are continuing to be distracted behind the wheel despite a recent safety campaign, police say.

Operation Habit, which ran from July 25 to August 7, focused on getting people into the habit of putting on their seatbelts and keeping their mobile phones away while driving.

"While many of the thousands of drivers stopped by police across the country were found doing the right thing, which is fantastic, offsetting this was a significant and disappointing number of drivers still not doing the basics to keep themselves and others safe," national road policing manager superintendent Steve Greally said.

"Putting on your seatbelt and removing the distraction of your mobile phone only takes seconds and could save yours and someone else's life, so really should be a no-brainer."

Despite this, 2727 people were issued notices for wearing no restraint while another 1162 people were ticketed for using their mobile phone while driving, he said.

Greally said the numbers were disappointing.

"We'd be delighted not to have to issue any notices at all, as it would show everyone was driving safely and responsibly, and deaths and injuries on our roads would fall.

"Unfortunately it shows that some people still aren't taking seriously the real risks associated with making these potentially life-altering choices behind the wheel."

He said from January to July this year, 50 people were killed in crashes where they weren't wearing a seatbelt.

"That's a shocking statistic but this isn't about numbers, it's about people.

"This includes the grieving families and friends left behind," Greally said.

"It takes two seconds to put on a seatbelt and that simple act can save your life."

Similarly, other good driving habits like putting mobile phones away where they cannot distract drivers' focus from the road are really simple to get into.

"We want our roads to be a safe place for everyone, but we all need to work together to make it happen."