Police say they are issuing tickets to people caught driving with cell phones, even though legislation specific to that offence needs an amendment in the next Parliamentary session.

When asked earlier this week about the impact of a law-change over the summer that made driving while using a cell phone a crime, Police Commissioner Michael DeSilva replied: "To be clear, the regulations are awaiting an amendment that needs to come out of the next session of the legislature to enable the Police to actually ticket the offences. We're not in a position where we're in a position to be enforcing the legislation as yet."

He did not specify why the amendment was needed and Attorney General Kim Wilson referred questions to the Ministry of Transport, saying they had the remit for the initiative. A spokeswoman from that Ministry did not explain why the amendment was needed, but added existing legislation can be used.

A Police spokesman subsequently confirmed: "Currently drivers can be ticketed for driving without due care and attention and officers are ticketing people for that offence if observed."