Over 9,200 cyclists have been fined for using their mobile phones while riding their bikes since the ban was introduced on July 1, according to justice ministry figures.

Cyclists risk a fine of €95 if they use their phones without hands-free equipment.

In total, the police issued 2.8 million fines for traffic offences between May 1 and August 31, a drop of 300,000 on a year ago. Some 44,000 people were fined for using their phones in traffic, in both cars and on bikes.

Speeding is the most common traffic offence – almost 2.5 million people were fined for driving too fast. Most of the offences were recorded digitally on speed cameras, the justice ministry said.