There were 1236 traffic infringement notices handed out in the ACT last financial year for driving while using a hand-held mobile, down by 12 per cent from 2012-13 and a more significant 52 per cent from the recent peak year of 2010-11.

Traffic Operations Station Sergeant Rod Anderson said both drivers and the motor vehicle industry had recognised the risk of distracted driving.

"Now with bluetooth and modern mobiles, a lot of bluetooth technology is standard in cars," he said.

"It still doesn't take away from the case that having a conversation with someone who is not in the car does distract from someone who is driving."

The Australian Road Rules, part of ACT law, forbid the use of mobiles when driving unless they are mounted in commercial holders or can otherwise be used without being touched, as is the case with Bluetooth technology which syncs a mobile with a vehicle's audio system.

The rule states in those circumstances a phone can be used to "make or receive a phone call", with this defined as excluding a text message, video message or email.

The rule applies to whenever a vehicle is moving or stationary but not parked.

Sergeant Anderson warned drivers that while they could touch buttons or the screen on a mounted mobile, the separate offence of driving without proper control of a vehicle still applied.

He said there was no particular location where mobile phone use was targeted by police.

"It doesn't matter if it happens in city or suburban areas, it's still unsafe or can be."

NRMA/ACT Road Safety Trust chairman Don Aitkin welcomed the drop, which he said was likely motivated more by the threat of fines than awareness of the danger involved.

"It would be lovely if [the figures] did reflect that [awareness], but it would be more likely awareness that a lot of infringement notices have been issued," he said.

"They are very good results and I applaud the change, may it continue."

Drivers can be fined $367 and lose three demerit points for using a hand-held mobile phone.