More than 100 drivers across Scotland were caught using hand-held mobile phones on the first day of tougher penalties for the offence.

Police said yesterday that a 24-year-old man on a tractor near Stranraer was among 109 people pulled over by officers.

From Tuesday, the maximum fixed penalty fine doubled to £60, with drivers also facing three penalty points being added to their licence. Motorists previously faced a £30 fine.

Any cases that reach court in addition to the penalty points could involve disqualification and a maximum fine of £1000, or £2500 in the case of the driver of a bus, coach or goods vehicle.

Police promised to mount special patrols as the penalties came into force. In Strathclyde 38 people were caught on Tuesday, and Tayside had the next highest figure of 20.

Among those caught was a man in Perth and another in Nairn, who each already had nine points on their licences.

Both are now facing a driving ban, and have been reported to procurator-fiscals.

In Lothian and Borders Police area, a total of 15 drivers were stopped, and 10 in Dumfries and Galloway. Eight drivers were caught on the phone both in Grampian and in Northern force areas, with seven motorists caught in the Central area and three in Fife.

A 32-year-old woman in Dunoon, Argyll and Bute, was reported for driving without due care and attention after allegedly speeding in a built-up area and crossing hazard warning lines on bends while using a hand-held phone.

Police said they were disappointed that drivers continued to use hand-held phones despite widespread coverage of the tougher penalties. Inspector John Smith, head of Northern Constabulary's road policing section, said: "There are some drivers still willing to flout the law."

John Vine, chief constable for Tayside, said: "The message is, divert your call, not your attention. A split second is all it takes and the consequences can be disastrous. Don't risk it.

"Drivers should be aware the penalties will also apply to anyone who is distracted by a hands-free mobile phone and fails to maintain proper control of their vehicle."

Andrew Howard, AA public affairs head of road safety, said the penalties should act as a wake-up call to all drivers who persisted in using hand-held mobile phones.

"Police can trace back on phone call records to establish use during a journey that ended in a crash.

"Our best advice to drivers who carry hand-held mobile phones in the car is: get the message, switch to message."

In 2005, 13 deaths and 400 injuries were blamed on drivers using hand-held mobile phones.