Using a hand-held phone while driving became illegal in December

A "period of grace" has been in operation since the law banning the use of mobile phones in a moving vehicle was introduced last December.

Officers are now likely to issue �30 fixed-penalty notices to offenders.

Drivers are allowed to use their phones on the road provided they are using a hands-free kit.

'Looking to prosecute'

Kent Police's Chief Inspector of Tactical Operations, John Frayne, said motorists had been given a two-month "honeymoon period" since the legislation was brought in.

He said: "As of today we wil be looking to prosecute people by means of a fixed-penalty ticket for using their mobile phone whilst driving.

"Later in the year, it's likely that the offence of using a mobile phone whilst driving could become an endorsable offence."

Chief Inspector Frayne said police already looked at drivers' mobile phone records as potential evidence.

He said: "If we find based on the phone records that the driver had been using the mobile phone at the time of the crash, there would have to be asked some serious questions about the levels of concentration."