More than 17,000 drivers have received penalty points for using a mobile phone since it became an offence last September.
Figures released by the Department of Transport show an average of 1,400 drivers were caught using their phone behind the wheel every month.
And that figure got even higher during the summer months. It peaked in August with almost 2,500 caught during that month alone.
A spokeswoman for the Minister for Transport said the high number of people caught indicated the level of garda enforcement.
She said the Department was confident that the figures will start to fall, but said it is difficult to break this long established driver habit.
Drivers caught using their phone receive two penalty points and fixed charge.
If they do not pay the charge they face a fine of up top €2,000 and four penalty points on conviction.
