Drivers in Melbourne's outer west have been stung with new hefty fines for using mobile phones while driving.


A Melton Highway Patrol two-day blitz in Melton and Caroline Springs found 16 drivers using mobile phones hit with fines of $433 and a licence cost of four demerit points. Drivers on a full licence who accumulate 12 demerit points in three years can lose their licence.


In total 54 drivers were intercepted by police on Monday and on Friday between 1pm and 9pm with 41 found to have broken the law. Five motorists were fined for failing to wear seatbelts, three for speeding between 10-25km/h over the legal limit, two for driving unregistered vehicles and three for driving without a licence and for driving while suspended.


Acting Sergeant Adam Wojcik from Melton Highway Patrol said drivers were shocked by the hefty mobile phone fines. Twelve of the 16 fined were nabbed in just a couple of hours in Caroline Springs, he said.


“Jaws dropped and the realisation of the financial penalty set in," Acting Sergeant Adam Wojcik said.


"It's a big fine, and hopefully a big deterrent for those who got caught," he said.


He said some drivers did not think about the ramifications of using a phone while driving or not wearing a seatbelt.


“The consequences are literally life threatening and could also have a life long impact on family and loved ones.”


The blitz is part of Victoria Police's Summer Stay road enforcement campaign aimed at reducing road trauma over the high risk holiday season.


The campaign focuses on five fatal factors that contribute to road trauma – speed, alcohol and drug driving, fatigue, driver distraction and seatbelt offences.