Drug-driving laws will also be broadened, with the definition of ‘drug’ in the Road Transport Act to be changed so people who are caught driving while impaired by a broad range of new and emerging drugs, could be charged as being under the influence. 

Bathurst councillor and driving instructor Warren Aubin has welcomed the increase of demerit points – from four to five – for illegal phone users but would like to see even more demerits for the crime. 

“I don’t know why they didn’t go all the way to six. Two strikes and you’re gone but this is a step in the right direction,” he said.

In the past financial year Chifley Highway Patrol issued 99 fines to drivers for using their mobile phones, according to the NSW Office of State Revenue. 

This compared to the Orana Highway patrol officers who issued fines to 115 and Conabolas Highway patrol officers who issued 44 fines. 

The increase, which comes into effect from September, will make it the toughest demerit-point penalty for such an offence in the country.

In NSW, Learner, P1 and P2 licence holders are not permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving.

However, motorists with a full license can use their phone to make or answer calls or listen to music only if it is in a cradle, doesn't block their view of the road and can be operated without touching any part of the phone, such as via Bluetooth or voice activation.

Drivers, under any license restrictions, are not allowed to text, email, use social media, take photos or record videos unless their vehicle is parked out of traffic.

Cr Aubin said the increase in demerit points for using a phone while driving is good because of the frequency of accidents caused by phones.

“They are the most common cause of car accidents because they’re such a distraction,” he said.

“Anyone who has a mobile sitting in a console, the moment it makes a beep, the driver tends to look down and have a look and see who it is.

“That glance at the phone takes their eyes off the road for an ‘x’ amount of seconds, which is what causes the accidents.

“There’s technology out there that should be brought in that would make a phone useless when driving.

“It’s become such a major thing that something has to be done.”