Fines for using your mobile phone for checking social media while driving will more than double, making the penalties WA drivers face for phone use some of the highest in the country.

Under the new legislation, which will take effect on July 1st, drivers will have to pay $1000 and receive four demerit points for especially distracting activities such as texting, streaming video, browsing the internet or checking social media, making them an aggravated offence.

Touching a mobile phone while at traffic lights or holding the phone during a call is considered a lesser offence, costing drivers a $500 fine and three demerit points. The current fine for phone use while driving a car is $400.

Road safety minister Michelle Roberts said in the past five years more than 77,000 drivers were caught by WA police using a mobile phone.