THE number of drivers caught using mobile phones more than halved in Buckinghamshire last year, the Bucks Free Press can reveal.

Between April and December 2006 1,620 drivers were stopped - but this fell to 734 in the same period last year.

The drop in numbers follow a tough stance by police introduced a year ago today.

The offence went from a £30 fine three penalty points and a fine of £60.

Drivers were given the option of attending a safety course to avoid the points.

Yesterday Thames Valley Police revealed 3,281 people were stopped in its area using mobiles.

Of these 2,567 went on the course.

Malcolm Collis, head of the specialist units at TVP's roads policing department, said: "Talking on a mobile phone when driving causes a distraction and affects people's ability to react to dangerous situations.

"It is for this reason that the tougher penalties were introduced last year.

"Clearly some people are still needlessly risking both theirs and other people's lives for the sake of one phone call.

"We hold regular road safety checks across the force area, so I would encourage drivers to change their ways or face tough action from us."