Drivers ring up the fines, demerit points

Police say they are dismayed at the continued stupidity of some Perth drivers, with hundreds still getting caught each week using their mobile phones.

In the week leading up to Christmas, officers patrolling in marked and unmarked motorcycles caught 324 people talking or texting while driving.

Police say one woman was caught taking "selfies", then attempting to email the pictures to friends unaware that there was a police officer sitting next to her filming her actions on his helmet-mounted camera.

The offence carries a $400 fine and a penalty of six demerit points during the double- demerit period, which began last Friday.

Another 32 people were caught not wearing seatbelts, which carries a $550 fine and a penalty of eight demerit points.

And police say a teenager was also booked after a motorcycle patrolman allegedly spotted him rolling a marijuana cigarette while stopped in traffic.

Insp. Ian Clarke, from Traffic Enforcement Command, said it was hard to believe that so many drivers were still not getting the message about the dangers of driving distracted or under the influence.

And with double demerit points, it was likely some would lose their licence this Christmas because of one dumb decision.

"That one moment of stupidity when you decide to check a message or make a call could have a lifetime of consequences," Insp. Clarke said.

"You not only endanger yourself but you could also cause an accident that destroys someone else's life or their family's life for ever."

Insp. Clarke said alcohol and drugs were also over-represented in recent police enforcement statistics.

Forty-one roadside drug tests were done last week, resulting in seven people testing positive for amphetamines and another four for cannabis.

Booze buses also tested more than 8500 people, with 38 people blowing over the limit.

Four were charged with the most serious offence of driving under the influence.

Double demerits apply to seatbelts, mobile phones, drink-driving and speeding and are in force until midnight on January 4.