Drivers using phones 'a plague'

Police Minister Liza Harvey described the use of mobile phones by drivers as a plague.

"Motorists use them all the time while they are driving," she said.

I think it's become a habit, it's really dangerous, we're starting to see really serious accidents as a result of it.

Liza Harvey

"I think it's become a habit, it's really dangerous, we're starting to see really serious accidents as a result of it.

"People need to understand they have to put the mobile phone away because it could save their life."

Mr Cameron likened using a mobile phone while driving to drink driving.

"It is not unlike drink driving decades ago, we just didn't believe it was associated with increased risk. It took years for government and society to recognise that risk and do something about it."

Ms Harvey said the use of mobile phones can result in a fatal crash.

"We're now starting to see mobile phones and distractions in our fatal and serious crashes," she said.

"The average vehicle is about 1.2 tonnes so if you look down to look at your phone for two seconds and you are travelling at 40 kmph, you'll travel 22 metres in that time.

"So if you are approaching a kids' crossing you've got no chance of stopping.

"If you are doing 100kmph and you look down at your phone to get an SMS or a text message for two seconds, you've travelled the length of an Olympic swimming pool."

Road safety record worst in country

The minister is hoping the changes will discourage unsafe driving.

"It is an unfortunate fact that Western Australia has one of the worst road safety records in the country," she said.

"We need to do everything we can to discourage unsafe driving behaviour which is why penalties need to reflect how dangerous these offences are.

"The illegal use of mobile phones in vehicles continues to plague the community, with drivers seemingly unable to resist the urge to touch their phone while driving.

"Unfortunately illegally using a mobile phone today is as widespread as not wearing a seatbelt was in the 1970s.

"It took fines, enforcement and a change in the community's attitude to wearing a seatbelt to finally change drivers' behaviour - a change that has resulted in thousands of lives saved over the past 40 years."

The new fines are set to come in from the Queen's Birthday holiday period in late September.

Full details of all penalty changes can be accessed at http://www.ors.wa.gov.au