Forty two drivers were caught using their mobile phones while driving during a week-long campaign.
Police across Cleveland and Durham carried out ‘Operation Ringtone’ as part of a national a clampdown on drivers using their mobile phones from September 17.
Drivers using a phone whilst at the wheel now receive six points and a £200 fine.
Inspector Jonathan Malcolm, from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit, said: “It is always disappointing to find that anyone has risked their life and the lives of other innocent road users. Whether drivers are making calls, texting or going online, the risk is all the same, and the chance of a collision is 25 times higher.
“We will continue these operations to identify offenders and we will educate wherever we can. Being distracted at the wheel is one of the four main contributory factors in fatal or serious road traffic collisions and it is an unnecessary risk to take.”