Using a hand-held phone while driving attracts a �30 fine

Police said it was evidence the message that their use while driving was illegal was still not getting through.

The ban on the use of hand-held mobile phones brought Northern Ireland into line with the rest of the UK.

Although it was introduced on 1 February, police operated a "yellow card" system of warning drivers before implementing the fines from 1 March.

A total of 3,808 fixed penalty notices have been issued between then and 30 September.

Chief Inspector Brian Kee, of the PSNI's road policing unit, said the number of tickets issued indicated drivers were not getting the ban message.

Drivers need to realise that if they are using a mobile phone while driving it does distract them and they are not paying attention to other road users Chief Inspector Brian Kee PSNI

"A significant number of people are still using mobile phones while driving, even though it has been banned since February," he said.

"Despite the messages when the legislation was introduced and messages since, they are not getting through as almost 4,000 tickets have been issued."

The offence carries a fixed penalty notice of �30, however motorists face fines of up to �1,000 if they go to court.

'Hard shoulder'

"Drivers need to realise that if they are using a mobile phone while driving it does distract them and they are not paying attention to other road users," said the chief inspector.

"They are putting themselves, their passengers and other road users at risk."

Police advise that when a mobile phone rings while driving, the call is allowed to go through to voicemail.

On a motorway, it is illegal to pull over onto the hard shoulder to answer a call.

It is illegal to pull over onto the hard shoulder to answer a call

Hands-free kits are allowed, but many road safety experts say they do not reduce the risks of having an accident.

Chief Inspector Kee said while hands-free mobiles were less of a threat, they could still cause distraction and affect driving ability.

"If drivers who are using hands-free mobile phones are displaying inattention, there is the potential for them to be charged with careless driving.

"While their use of a hands-free mobile may not be illegal, their driving behaviour may mean they are committing other offences."

The law also bans passengers from holding a mobile phone to the driver's ear.

The maximum fine for drivers of vans, lorries, buses and coaches is �2,500.