Almost 15,000 people were caught using their mobile phones while driving in the first six months of the year.

Using a phone while behind the wheel makes you four times more likely to crash, according to the Road Safety Authority.

The high number of drivers on mobiles has led to calls for a stricter penalty points regime for the offence.

MEP Deirdre Clune said the message was not sinking in with motorists.

“Making a call while driving makes you four times more likely to have a crash and texting while driving makes you 23 times more likely to have a crash.

“In the UK they have doubled the penalty points from three to six and increased fines also. I think it’s time we considered doing the same thing,” she said.

Irish Road Safety Week starts today with a focus on fatal motorcycle collisions. A significant number happen in the afternoons and on Sundays, and feature alcohol use.

On Wednesday, the focus shifts to tyre safety (defective tyres are a factor in one in 10 fatal crashes), while on Friday the focus will change to child safety and teaching pre-schoolers good safety habits.

A total of 139 people have died on our roads this year – up 21 on the same period last year.

Brian Farrell of the Road Safety Authority urged road users to focus their attention and minds on the importance of staying safe on the roads.

He said: “We want everyone to use the week to look at how we use the roads, and make small, positive changes to make a big difference.”