MORE than 1,400 Lancashire drivers have been fined for using mobile phones while driving since new legislation fought for by a local MP came into force.

Police confirmed they had caught 1,400 drivers on the county's roads since new laws banning people from using mobile phone handsets came into effect on December 1.

People caught faced fixed penalty fines of £30 - and the Government announced yesterday in the Queen's Speech that the fine will soon double, and carry three penalty points with it.

Chief Inspector Tracie O'Gara, of Lancashire Constabulary, said: "We have already had at least one death in Lancashire attributed to the driver using a mobile phone and losing control of the vehicle.

"The force has already issued more than 1,400 fixed penalties for this offence and we will be running a further campaign over the coming weeks to reinforce the message that using a mobile phone while driving is not only illegal, but extremely dangerous."

Neil Cunliffe, road safety group manager at Lancashire County Council, said: "Research has shown that drivers who use their phones while on the roads are four times more likely to be involved in a crash.

"We welcome the prosecution of anyone caught chatting or texting on their hand-held mobiles while driving, as this will hopefully make them consider their actions and make them safer drivers.

"We need to get people out of the habit of making a quick call or sending a text while in control of a vehicle, as it is illegal to use a hand-held mobile phone while driving."

The original mobile phone ban - which allows people only to use them if they have a hands-free kit - was campaigned for by Darwen and Rossendale MP Janet Anderson.

She today welcomed the Government's plans to make the penalties for those caught even stiffer. She said: "The law is being widely flouted. I see it every day in my constituency and as I go up and down the country on motorways.

"Driving while on a hand-held mobile phone is dangerous and people have got to realise that and stop it.

"They have had a period of grace to get used to the new law and it is entirely right that the Government is going to introduce tougher penalties."