ALMOST one motorist per day was caught using their mobile phone while driving by Gwent Police following the launch of tougher laws on the practice.

On March 1, the penalty for drivers using their devices while behind the wheel became a £200 fine and six points on their licence - previously £100 and three points.

The tougher penalties would also mean that new drivers ran the risk of losing their licence for sending a single text or making a call.

Over a period of 28 days following the change, 22 motorists were caught by officers for the offence in Gwent – the third highest in Wales – but there were 109 instances recorded across Wales – nearly four per day – in that timeframe.

The highest number of recorded cases was by North Wales Police with 52, followed by South Wales with 35, but Dyfed-Powys did not provide their figures.

The RAC Foundation described the increased penalties as "a start", but warned the figures for March suggest "the key message still isn't sinking in".

Steve Gooding, director of the motoring research charity, said: "Driving is a safety-critical activity that requires our full attention.

“Hands need to be on the wheel and eyes looking out of the windscreen, not down at the phone screen."

The new figures sparked calls for more investment in traffic policing to complement the tougher penalties.

There have been falls in the numbers of drivers handed fines for using handheld mobiles in recent years amid reductions in full-time dedicated roads policing officers.

Brake spokesman Jack Kushner described the number of drivers "selfishly using their mobile phones behind the wheel" as concerning.

"Driver distraction is a growing menace and it's worrying that drivers don't seem to be getting the message," he said.

The charity wants the £200 fine to be "significantly increased" to deter offenders.

Police officials added that the aim of the tougher laws is to make using a mobile while driving as "socially unacceptable" as drink-driving.

National Police Chiefs' Council lead for roads policing Anthony Bangham said: "Drivers need to understand that this is not a minor offence and you will be prosecuted under new, tougher penalties."

He said forces are committed to tackling the behaviour, adding: "Encouraging results from recent campaigns show how effective new tactics and innovative approaches can be."

Twenty-two people were killed and 99 seriously injured in accidents on Britain's roads in 2015 where a motorist using a mobile was a contributory factor, Department for Transport figures show.

Across the UK however, more than 200 motorists per day were caught their mobile phones as a Freedom of Information (FOI) request found recorded 5,977 instances of the practice the four weeks after the clampdown was rolled out alongside a nationwide police campaign.

The greatest number of uses was recorded in London as the Metropolitan Police registered 2,037 instances, although the number is thought to be higher as seven forces did not supply their statistics.