<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A sophisticated police operation is using undercover spotters to crack down on distracted drivers touching their mobile phones while behind the wheel in Victoria.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The strategy involves plain-clothes officers watching drivers, alerting uniformed colleagues to intercept those seen using their phones. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Whether you're driving or stationary, you can't touch your phone," Sergeant Harry Lazarou of Victoria Police said. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/record-number-of-drownings-australia-national-drowning-report/3ef56d5b-0b75-43c0-9612-70477d91aaa3"><strong><span>'This is a wake-up call': Australia breaks tragic drowning record</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span></span></strong><span>"We're still seeing people watching videos, YouTube and even FaceTiming and it's still an offence."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Last year, more than 12,500 infringements were issued by Victoria Police for mobile phone offences, with about seven in every 10 issued to men.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>New road safety cameras tell a similar story, with men outnumbering women by more than 10,000.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/undercover-victoria-police-operation-drivers-mobile-phone-use/218dcd8f-a3d5-4eaa-9662-9bcb1559bcaf" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/common-painkillers-ibuprofen-paracetamol-linked-to-antibiotic-resistance/f1c775b6-65ab-4501-b74e-124afb1f715a"><strong><span>Common painkillers linked to one of the world's biggest health threats</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>While no one is immune, men in their 30s have been put on notice for being the most distracted.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Each person caught is slapped with a $611 fine and the loss of four demerit points.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Please do the right thing. We need to bring the road toll down and it's a joint effort," Lazarou said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>