POLICE have backed the findings of a survey which showed that one in ten motorists are still using hand-held mobile phones while driving, despite a ban introduced last year.

A poll of 700 drivers by breakdown firm Green Flag revealed that ten per cent of drivers admitted flouting the law, risking a fixed penalty of £30 or a maximum £1,000 fine plus three points on their driving licence.

At the same time, more than three-quarters of those questioned agreed that using handsets behind the wheel severely impaired their ability to drive safely.

A number of police forces allowed mobile phone users a two-month honeymoon period following the introduction of the ban on December 1.

But some, including Northumbria Police, began cracking down straight away.

Northumbria Police has since issued 190 fixed penalty fines to motorists caught under the new legislation.

Chief Inspector Neil Minto, of the force's road patrols unit, said that although the message was getting through in some areas, officers would continue to enforce the law where necessary.

PC Brian Rogers, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "There are a group of people who still persist in using their mobile phones.

"In future, such offences may be instantly endorseable and when people realise that it will mean points on their licence, they may choose to stop."

A spokeswoman for Durham Police said: "People still using mobile phones while driving can expect to face the consequences if caught - a fixed penalty fine."

Mary Williams, chief executive at road safety charity Brake, said the findings showed that a worrying number of drivers were still putting lives at risk.

She said: ''Research shows that using a mobile phone while driving makes you up to six times more likely to crash.

"Even hands-free phones pose a significant risk, as it is the conversation that distracts drivers and not simply holding the phone.

"The advice to drivers is clear and simple. Don't make or take a call - you may take a life."