Fixed fines for using phone surge

The number of prosecutions against people using hand-held mobile phones while driving has tripled since the government made it a fixed penalty offence on January 1.

Police issued 7,512 tickets in the first four months of the year, a surge of 350 per cent from the 2,091 cases over the same period last year.

Deputy transport secretary Annie Choi Suk-han aid the increase was because the penalty system had made prosecutions easier. She said it took time for drivers to become aware of the fines and the government would review the situation after a year to see whether there was a need to raise the penalty.

Drivers found using a hand-held cellphone while driving are fined $450. Ms Choi said the government had no plan to introduce higher fines for repeat offenders.