More than 500 Canterbury drivers have been caught using their phone or not wearing their seatbelts within a two-week period.

The information comes from a national Police initiative, where police were out in force cracking down on bad driving habits.

Acting Canterbury road policing manager, Inspector Phil Dean said the results aren't good enough.

"It's disappointing that so many people in the Canterbury area have been detected, and we've written infringement notices for that many people not wearing seatbelts."

Nearly 4000 people nationally have been issued infringement notices, after the Police crackdown.

This included around 3000 drivers not wearing seatbelts, and more than 1000 caught using their phones.

National Manager Road Policing, Superintendent Steve Greally, agreed that the results were disappointing.

"If you got you're belt on, you're 40 per cent better off of walking away with your life and your health in hand so it's a no brainer."

Superintendent Greally, said it's not always young people that are breaking the law.

"It's our 40-59s that are dying the most on our roads. For a variety of reasons. People are quick to blame our youth when it's not always our youth that are at fault."

Greally said up until last month, nationally 50 people killed in car crashes this year were not wearing a seatbelt.

Police are continuing to work with the public, spreading the word on how in car distractions can cost you your life.