Hundreds of motorists across Scotland were caught using their hand-held mobiles despite treacherous road conditions during a police crackdown, figures revealed today.

Hundreds of motorists across Scotland were caught using their hand-held mobiles despite treacherous road conditions during a police crackdown, figures revealed today.

Scotland's eight police forces stopped and fined 271 drivers across the country during the 24 hour operation which began at 7am yesterday.

It was the third and final crackdown in a series co-ordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) this year, which aimed to remind motorists not to use their mobile phone while driving as they could lose their licence.

The numbers caught have dropped over the course of the year, with 324 stopped in February and 313 in August.

Chief Superintendent Brian Anderson, of ACPOS, welcomed the decrease but said police are still concerned at the number of drivers flouting the law.

He said: "Motorists need to remember if using a mobile phone in any way that affects your ability to control your vehicle properly, you will be stopped and reported for the appropriate offence."

"Your reaction times are impaired when using either type of mobile phone while driving and that could result in a fatal or serious road crash.

"Our advice is simple - Don't risk it!"

Motorists caught using a mobile will be fined £60 and have three penalty points added to their driving licence which could lead to disqualification for those who already have endorsements.

The courts could consider discretionary disqualification and a maximum fine of £1000 or £2500 for drivers of a bus or coach or goods vehicle.

And, under a new U.K. road traffic safety law, a driver involved in a road crash while using a mobile phone or hand-held device will go to prison, if someone is killed.