Strict laws around using, and even touching, a mobile phone while behind the wheel have caught out many Perth drivers, and some want police to exercise more discretion before issuing infringements.

720 ABC Perth listener Margaret said she was handed a $400 fine and three demerit points after reaching for her phone while stuck in a traffic jam this week.

She said she had panicked, thinking she would be late for a medical appointment, but police would not accept her reason for wishing to make a call in her car.

"I allowed an hour-and-a-half to get there, but unfortunately there was an accident on the way and it took me an hour to travel a section that would normally take 10 minutes," Margaret told Geoff Hutchison.

Mobile phone rules while driving in WA: You can touch a mobile phone to receive or terminate a call if the phone is secured in a mounting.

You can touch a mobile phone to receive or terminate a call if the phone is secured in a mounting. If the phone is not secured in a mounting, it can only be used to receive or terminate a phone call without touching it.

If the phone is not secured in a mounting, it can only be used to receive or terminate a phone call without touching it. You can use a GPS on your phone only if no touch of the keypad or screen is required.

You can use a GPS on your phone only if no touch of the keypad or screen is required. Hey Siri: You can't use Siri (or OK Google) to create and send a text message, even if you don't have to touch the phone.

Hey Siri: You can't use Siri (or OK Google) to create and send a text message, even if you don't have to touch the phone. While driving, it is illegal to create, send or look at a text message, video message, email or similar communication, even when the phone is secured in a mounting and/or voice-operated.

While driving, it is illegal to create, send or look at a text message, video message, email or similar communication, even when the phone is secured in a mounting and/or voice-operated. You can use your phone in the car if it is stationary and legally parked.

You can use your phone in the car if it is stationary and legally parked. You cannot use your phone if your car is stationary in a traffic queue or stopped at traffic lights and other traffic signs. Source: WA Road Safety Commission/ Road Traffic Code 2000

"I wasn't sure whether I would lose my appointment.

"I pulled my phone out of my bag; I didn't know the hospital number but I thought I could call my husband.

"In my opinion I was in an emergency situation and needed to rectify the situation somehow."

When Margaret reached for her phone a police officer tapped on the window and asked why she was touching her phone.

She explained to the officer about the appointment but received an infringement.

"I suggested she go and do real police work, said it was stalking parked cars," Margaret said.

"Seriously, my behaviour was so bad I'm surprised I wasn't thrown into jail.

"But it was the sheer anger of the situation and the fact that there appears to be no discretion, no fairness in this.

"Should police be a bit more discretionary or should they have this power thing?"

What do you think?

The issue generated a heated debate among listeners.

"Margaret has my full support. The law needs to be changed to represent stationary vehicles, not just parked vehicles. It's a poorly thought out law that generates high income for the state with no real benefit to the community."

"I was similarly stuck in accident traffic several weeks ago when due to collect two small grandchildren from primary school. I had left in plenty of time. I was about to use my cell to contact school when traffic cleared. Small kids are more important than a hypothetical risk of an accident in a stationary car."

Most, however, agreed that police should enforce the laws around mobile phone use in cars without exception.

"My best friend was riding her bicycle in France. She and her friend were hit by a veering white van. The driver was keying in a phone number on his hands-free. Both cyclists died. Don't use your phone when driving. Please."

"This law is black and white. Do not touch your phone while driving your car. Who knows, maybe the crash that delayed this lady could have been caused by someone on the phone."

"I was going at a snail's pace when traffic had built up at the Graham Farmer tunnel, yet a girl texting on her phone still managed to run into the back of me. When will people accept that when messing around with your phone and talking on the phone your mind is not fully on your surroundings?"

"My 14-year-old daughter was riding her bike to school nearly six years ago and was hit and killed by a driver using their mobile phone. I wish our only legacy was a $400 fine and three demerit points."

The West Australian Police told the ABC that the use of mobile phones while behind the wheel continued to be a priority offence.

Almost 60 people were given infringements in a 90-minute period on Tuesday morning.

Join the debate on the 720 ABC Perth Facebook page.