More than 100 motorists have been given tickets for using a cell phone while driving, police said today.A Police spokeswoman said yesterday: “Between 7.15am and 9.15am on Thursday, police officers monitored traffic in Pembroke for offences under the Road Traffic Act as well as the recently enacted Traffic Offences (Penalties) Amendment Act 2011, which prohibits the use of hand-held cell phones or other hand-held devices whilst driving.“As a result, this morning officers ticketed 13 people under the new legislation, issued six tickets for seat belt offences and one ticket for an unfastened helmet.“On Wednesday, officers ticketed a total of 23 motorists 15 in the morning and eight in the afternoon for using hand-held devices whilst driving.“To date, 106 motorists have been ticketed under the new legislation.“The Bermuda Police Service would like to remind the motoring public that officers will continue to monitor the Island’s roads for any offences including the use of hand-held cell phones or other hand-held devices whilst driving.”The specific cost of the tickets will be determined in court, but according to the act the fines could range between $500 and $1,000.Road Safety Officer Road Safety Officer David Minors said that the legislation is hoped to change the behaviour of drivers, and that he expected it could take a little time for the rules to sink into the public consciousness.“As with any new legislation, there will be a period of adjustment and conditioning by the general public the same was so when the seat belt regulations were put in place. The issue is safety and providing a driving environment where safety is paramount.“As of the 30th of November 2011, there were 1,792 collisions reported on our roads in Bermuda, and 646 of those collisions were due to ‘Inattention’ which includes distracted driving, following too close, etc. Moreover, 920 people had been injured to that date (those numbers will increase once the December totals are included).“This legislation is designed to enhance the safety on our roads and it encourages individuals to maintain their focus on the task of driving, which is a privilege.”Shadow Justice Minister Trevor Moniz said: “We do support the legislation and we do support what the police are doing. The people neat to be put on notice that it’s being ticketed.“We have some sympathy with people who were caught out, but there were warnings. Some of us have to get out of our bad habits.”Members of the public yesterday had mixed views about the crackdown. While they generally agreed the move would make the Island’s roads safer, some said more notice should have been given.Lauren Richardson said: “I’m glad they are dealing with it, but I think if there was more of a warning, that number wouldn’t be so high.“Hopefully this will get the message across.”And student Jeron Williams agreed, saying he wasn’t aware that the laws had come into effect.“I heard it was coming, but nobody said when,” he said. “Not everyone reads the paper. Not everyone watches local news. I can’t listen to the radio on my bike. Now I’d be arrested if I tried.”