Western Bay of Plenty motorists are putting their lives and other motorists' lives at risk using their mobile phones while driving police says.

In a police crackdown on cell phone use and not wearing seatbelts, 49 drivers were seen using their phones and a further eight drivers were not wearing their seatbelts says Police road safety team Acting Sergeant Aaron Williams.

Aaron says Western Bay of Plenty Police focused on road users travelling on Turrent Road, last week.

He says distraction and failing to wear seatbelts continues to be a serious road safety risk in the region.

'Drivers need to be aware of the very real risk that distractions represent. Especially talking, texting, and checking emails on mobile phones while driving. Put your passengers and other road users first and put the phone away.”

Aaron says drivers using a mobile phone while driving, should expect to be stopped and penalties are an $80 infringement fee and 20 demerit points.

Any driver who earns a 100 or more demerit points in two years will have their licence suspended for three months.

He says drivers also need to take the time to buckle up. Between January and March 2016, 41 per cent of vehicle occupants killed were unrestrained.

This translates to 28 people whose deaths may have otherwise been prevented had they used a seat belt, Aaron says.

'Driving requires your complete attention, you need to keep control of your vehicle as well as maintaining an awareness of your surroundings and potential hazards.

'Make sure you wear your seat belt and remember that a moment's distraction can have serious consequences. No notification, text or call is worth dying for,” says Aaron.