Undercover police will be keeping an eye out for drivers using their phone as part of a new road safety campaign.

Both covert and overt officers across Hertfordshire will be targeting drivers throughout February to help limit the number of drivers using their devices, as motorists could face a minimum £200 fine and six points on their licence.

Last year, more than 347 motorists were caught using their mobile phone while driving in Hertfordshire.

Most offenders were men (304 drivers) and over half of all offenders were aged between 22 and 40.

Chief Inspector Simon Tabert said: “There is absolutely no excuse for using your phone whilst driving. No text, call or comment is so urgent that it is worth risking your life and the lives of others. If you are looking at your phone, you are not looking at the road.

“Even just taking your eyes off the road for a split second, for something as trivial as changing a song or switching radio stations, could have life-changing consequences – not just for you, but for other innocent road users or pedestrians too.”