“I WAS bored” – that was the excuse given by a driver caught playing games on his phone while stuck in traffic.

The driver was one of 285 caught by Hampshire police during a week-long crackdown on drivers who use their mobile phones behind the wheel.

It is illegal to use a hand-held phone while driving, and the rules are the same if drivers have stopped at traffic lights or are queuing in traffic.

Hands-free phones, sat-navs and two-way radios are not illegal to use while driving, but the police can stop the driver if they think they are being distracted.

Sergeant Rob Heard, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: “These results are disappointing and show that many people still do not understand the dangers of using a mobile phone whilst driving.

“The majority of people know they should not be using their phone whilst driving, but don’t seem to understand what a huge distraction it is.”

The campaign took place between 6am on Sunday, January 25 and just before midnight on the evening of Saturday, January 31.

Of the 285 drivers stopped, 51 were caught by officers from the roads policing unit at Whitchurch.

Police said the rise in the total number of people stopped, from 178 last year, was down to additional resources and officers used in the campaign this year.

They added that all the drivers stopped will face further action, which could include three points on a driver’s licence and a £100 fine.