Police across the West Country have launched a crackdown on people using their mobile phones while driving.

It comes as figures from the RAC show the number of motorists who illegally use mobile phones while at the wheel is rising.

1,714 motorists were surveyed and 31% said they used a hand-held phone behind the wheel.  That compares with 8% in 2014.

The number of drivers who said they sent a message or posted on social media rose from 7% to 19%, while 14% said they had taken a photograph or video while driving.

Department for Transport figures show that a driver impaired or distracted by their phone was a contributory factor in 492 accidents in Britain in 2014, including 21 that were fatal and 84 classed as serious.

Roads Policing Inspector Pete Thomas said: ’When you’re behind the wheel, forget about who may be texting you, or what your friends may be putting on Facebook. Focus all of your concentration and attention on your driving to keep you safe, your friends and family safe and other people on the road safe.’

The government has said that drivers caught using handheld mobile phones are likely to face much tougher penalties in the future. New rules, expected in 2017, will see fines and points doubling.

Alongside the campaign, designed to make phone use as stigmatised as drink-driving, police will be carrying out a series of proactive operations to catch those using their phones behind the wheel.