Cumbria police have been cracking down on motorists who use their mobile phones while driving.

They have been carrying out an operation across the county intended to send a warning to people who flout the law.

It has seen checkpoints on roads across the county, pulling drivers over if they spot them on the phone at a time when they should be giving the road their undivided attention.

The crackdown, codenamed Operation Anaconda and carried out in the last week, comes after the use of mobile phones while driving was identified as one of the key contributors to serious crashes.

The operation aims to target this through both enforcement – fines – and education, with many drivers offered the chance to complete a course in exchange for escaping points on their licence and a fine.

Police have yet to reveal how many people have been stopped, with results due in the coming days.

But to give an idea of the scale, Pc Jack Stabler says he and a colleague handed out 25 tickets over three days on Carlisle’s London Road and Warwick Road alone.

He added the problem was worst at rush hour.

“Generally people are not even aware they are committing an offence,” he says, eyes fixed on Wigton Road watching drivers.

“People become so reliant on their phones for everything. It’s part of their life and you pull them over and they forget they’ve just been looking at it while driving.

“You have to remind them what they’ve done.

“You generally find if somebody has got a nice big car and they’ve got all the hands-free equipment there’s not a problem,” he adds.

“It’s more often vans and cars that don’t have the equipment.”

He adds those spotted are often lifting up phones to check the time or Facebook.

“I gave a ticket out two days ago when someone had a sat nav in their hand. That offence is different. That’s not being in proper control of your vehicle,” said Pc Stabler.

Those caught face three possible options: An educational course, costing £85, in exchange for no points on their licence; three points and a £100 fine or a court appearance.

This choice, if it is offered, comes in the form of a letter sent to the motorist. Options depend on factors such as previous driving convictions.

Chief Inspector Terry Bathgate says: “Over the years, we have conducted numerous campaigns targeting those who risk people’s lives by using their mobile phones while at the wheel and still we see drivers in this county doing this.

“During this campaign officers have been looking to enforce the law where necessary to deter further people from doing this.

“Road traffic collisions can have tragic consequences for those involved and those who are close to them.

“What can only increase that pain is knowing that the collision could have been avoided had the driver been paying full attention to the road.”

Chief Insp Bathgate says it only takes a “slight loss of concentration” to cause a fatal crash.

“A split-second decision to check a message can impact you for the rest of your life,” he adds.

“Simply put: Don’t do it, don’t risk lives. No message or call is worth a serious injury or fatal road traffic collision.

“We fully understand that some people are very busy and may need to take and make calls while on the go.

“Our advice to those who require this facility is to purchase and use in-car Bluetooth technology.

“It may be a small expense but one that does not compare to that of a person’s life.”