Dyfed-Powys police caught 498 drivers using their mobile phones behind the wheel, as part of a month long driving campaign in April.

The first All Wales Anti Mobile Phone Driving Campaign aimed to raise awareness about the real dangers involved when drivers break the law through phoning or texting at the wheel.

Officers from all the Welsh police forces carried out proactive patrols to target motorists who endanger other road users and educated drivers on the penalties they face if caught.

Over a quarter of the 1949 Wales-wide offences were detected in the Dyfed-Powys force area. Of those caught men over 25 were the worst offenders, with 230 being stopped; 118 men under 25 were caught using their phones while driving while 77 women over 25 and 73 women under 25 were also caught.

Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Inspector for Roads Policing, Ian Thomas said: “Research indicates that you are four times more likely to crash while driving and using a mobile phone. Obviously there is an element among the motoring public that continue to put themselves and others at risk by driving while using a handheld device.

“We would encourage drivers to switch off their phones whilst driving; no phone call is so urgent that it requires you to answer it and put yourself and others at risk. Encourage would be callers to leave a message and, when it’s safe to do so, return their call.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners to raise awareness, educate and enforce those drivers who continue to flout the law.”