Distracted drivers are being called out in the South

An officer parked visibly in a marked car issued 23 infringements for phone use while driving, in less than eight hours on Queenstown's Gorge Road yesterday.

Road Policing Manager, Senior Sergeant Sarah Thorn, says it really highlights the level of distraction.

She says four infringements were also given for not wearing seatbelts, and two for speeding.

In 2020, distraction was a factor in 23 deaths and 125 serious injuries on New Zealand roads.