Tauranga police say the number of offences issued for using a mobile phone while driving in the Western Bay of Plenty is on the rise.
The law banning the use of mobile phones while driving came into force on November 1 last year.

In the five months since, police issued 78 offences in the Western Bay of Plenty to motorists who breached the law.
Senior sergeant Ian Campion says anecdotally, his staff is noticing an increase.
'There was a lot of publicity when the law was introduced and a lot of discussion around it.
It seems the use of mobile phones is starting to creep back in again.”
He says using a mobile phone while driving is a contributor to vehicle accidents and is urging people not to get back into the habit.
'Most people agree it's a sensible law given the results that we know can come from any distraction in a motor vehicle.”
Police say offences across New Zealand are also starting to increase.
Ian says if motorists in the region breach the law, they will be caught.