The head of Western Bay of Plenty road policing is surprised at the level of compliance by local drivers during a week-long blitz on cellphone usage in cars.

A total of seven Tauranga drivers received tickets last week for using cellphones while driving as part of the nation-wide campaign targeting drivers on phones.

A total of seven tickets were issued to local drivers during a week-long blitz on cellphone usage in cars.

'It's quite a high compliance rate, which was fairly surprising,” Western Bay of Plenty head of road policing Senior Sergeant Ian Campion.

'But the focus of that operation was two-fold, on cellphones, but also on seat belts and child restraints.”

A total of 47 infringements for seat belt offences were issued to drivers in the Western Bay of Plenty district.

As a week-long blitz on drivers using cellphones behind the wheel ends, police say feedback from motorists – even those caught – has been generally positive.

Police launched the national blitz last Monday, November 26 to coincide with the anniversary of the law banning mobile phone use while driving - and to remind drivers of the risk associated with distractions while driving.

National Manager Road Policing, Superintendent Carey Griffiths says while total ticket numbers will not be known for a few weeks, it is 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,” says Carey.

'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.

'What is really pleasing is that anecdotal feedback from police staff across the country suggests most people have responded positively to the campaign, with feedback from many motorists saying that they are unimpressed when they see someone using their cell-phone at the wheel, and that they are pleased that police are enforcing the rule.”

Carey says many of those who have been caught have been contrite about being ticketed and have said it was about time they were caught to stop them doing it again.

'The good thing is that people seem to be taking on board the message that it's not okay to be on the open road at 100km/h and not be giving your full attention to driving because you're using your phone or handheld device to send a text or check an email, as nothing is that important.

'Generating more widespread social un-acceptance of this kind of risky behaviour that puts other, law-abiding road users at risk is a key step in helping to make our roads safer for everyone.”

Police will continue to target driver distraction and other forms of risky behaviour – including those who fail to wear seatbelts or ensure children were safely restrained.

"We know that just as putting away cell-phones and other distractions can make a difference, wearing seat belts also continues to save lives, even though there are still some drivers and their passengers who just don't get it.

"These are two very simple things that we can all do that can make a difference. It is not hard or time consuming, but can be the difference between life and death if something goes wrong.”