The increase has been echoed across the country, and politicians argue that it is evidence a law introduced in December 2003 is “beginning to bite”.

A Tayside Police spokesperson said, “The figures have gone up, but really that is down to a greater use of our resources in targeting that specific offence, including unmarked patrol cars.

“The great majority of detections result in a fixed penalty being accepted, while a small minority take it to court, as is their legal right.”

Motorists caught flouting the ban are generally issued with a £30 on-the-spot fine — almost 2000 of these were handed out by Tayside Police in 2005.

Figures show there have been 1883 prosecutions across the country since the law came in, compared with just 625 a year ago.

The largest increases were in Fife, up from six to 52 cases and Central Scotland from 50 to 198.

MSP Brian Adam, who raised the issue in the Scottish Parliament, said he had not expected the national figures to be so high.

“However, they show the law is beginning to bite,” he said. “I hope it will not take too long to see the number of cases dropping.”

The current tally for Tayside shows most proceedings — 166 — were in Perth and Kinross.

In the two-and-a-half years of the ban, there have been 128 court cases in Dundee and 31 in Angus.

Campaigners believe that the addition of penalty points and a doubling of fines later this year will reduce the number of people risking taking calls or sending texts while driving.

The Tayside Police spokesperson said, “I think it’s fair to say that the increased fine and the prospect of having points added to your licence will serve as a greater deterrent.”