Wiltshire Police is supporting the National Police Chief Council (NPCC) campaign, highlighting the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving.
New legislation is due to come in to force in March 2017, which makes significant changes to the penalties faced by motorists who continue to be distracted by a mobile phone.
Currently, drivers stopped while using a mobile phone are issued with 3 points and a £100 fine.
Under the new legislation, offenders will receive 6 penalty points and a £200 fine.
This legislation change will particularly affect new drivers. New drivers have their license revoked if they get 6 or more penalty points within two years of passing their test.
The NPCC campaign runs from 23 January – 29 January.
This week’s campaign follows on from a previous national effort that Wiltshire Police supported in November last year.
Wiltshire was one of 36 forces that took part in the campaign which saw 10,012 vehicles stopped and detected nearly 8,000 mobile phone offences, the highest ever total for a week of enforcement on distraction driving.
Across the UK more than 7,800 fixed penalty notices were issued as well as hundreds of verbal warnings given and 68 court summons.
Tri Force Roads Policing Inspector Frazer Davey said “Our campaign in November showed that there are still far too many drivers willing to risk using their phones while behind the wheel of their car, van or lorry.
“For that reason, our campaign this month will use unmarked police cars to target the people who are still willing to take a chance.
“With the changes in legislation due in March, the fine and penalty points will double, meaning a new driver will lose their licence the first time they are caught using their phone while driving.
“My message is simple; using your phone while driving costs lives.”
Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: “It is good to know that roads policing officers are following up November’s week of action on mobile phones with a fresh campaign this week.
“In Wiltshire, and across the country, the enforcement action before Christmas, using unmarked vehicles, showed that far too many motorists have been prepared to take the risk of using their mobiles whilst at the wheel.
“People need to keep their eyes on the road and not allow themselves to be distracted, because a moment’s lapse can lead to tragedy. We must get the message across that a text, a phone call or a social media post must wait until we are safely parked.”
