Motorists who use their mobile phones whilst driving are being targeted in a joint campaign being launched.The campaign comes after it emerged 500 more drivers in the county were prosecuted last year for using their mobile phones whilst driving than in 2008.

Motorists who use their mobile phones while driving are being targeted in a joint campaign.

The campaign comes after it emerged 500 more drivers in the county were prosecuted last year for using their mobile phones while driving than in 2008.

The month-long Think! Norfolk advertising campaign sees Norfolk Constabulary warning drivers that if they are caught using a mobile phone whilst driving they will be given a �60 fixed penalty notice and have their licence endorsed with three penalty points.

This fine can also rise to �1,000 if taken to court and �2,500 if driving a bus, coach, or heavy goods vehicle.

In 2009 2537 drivers were prosecuted in Norfolk for using their mobile phone whilst driving - an increase of nearly 500 drivers from the 2042 prosecuted during 2008.

The radio, press and petrol station forecourt advertising campaign tells drivers to “zip it behind the wheel” and that “distracted drivers cause destruction”.

Guy McCurley, chairman of the Think! Norfolk Partnership, said: “Would the person you are contacting want you to be in danger? Do your passengers, perhaps your children in the back, deserve to be put at risk? Don't let mobile phone use harm you or allow you to hurt others on Norfolk's roads.”

Think! Norfolk is made up of Norfolk County Council, Norfolk Fire & Rescue Service, Norfolk Constabulary, Norfolk Safety Camera Partnership, East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust and the Highways Agency.