An intensified crackdown on traffic offenders will be accompanied by a media awareness campaign warning of the dangers of not wearing a safety belt and using mobile phones while driving. The ministry's media office stressed the importance of following traffic guidelines to the safety of drivers, adding that the intensified campaign against offenders will take the form of checkpoints and speed cameras. Statistics reveal a rise in road accidents, the ministry said, emphasising that using mobile phones is at the forefront of their causes. Not wearing safety belts has resulted in some of these accidents being more tragic than they should be, the ministry added. As for traffic offences, the ministry has released 13,127 for the use of mobiles and 65,663 for neglecting the use of safety belts over the past nine months. On the media campaign, this will be conducted through all forms of media in the country, including newspapers, television, radio and the internet, the ministry said. Also, leaflets will be handed out, while lectures, workshops and debates will be hosted by experts on the aim.