The West Australian Government has announced harsh new penalties for using mobile phones while driving, introducing a maximum $1,000 on-the-spot fine for motorists.

Key points: The penalty is the equal-harshest in Australia along with Queensland's

The penalty is the equal-harshest in Australia along with Queensland's Almost 12,000 WA motorists were caught using their mobiles last year

Almost 12,000 WA motorists were caught using their mobiles last year The WA Police Minister says it's about changing the culture of drivers

From July 1 this year, anyone caught texting, emailing, using social media, watching videos or accessing the internet while behind the wheel will be hit with the $1,000 fine and four demerit points.

The new penalty is more than double the current $400 fine and means WA drivers will face the equal-harshest penalty in Australia for the offence, after Queensland announced last year it was increasing its fine.

Motorists caught touching their mobile phone when stopped at traffic lights, or talking on their phone while holding the handset, will be fined $500 and receive three demerit points.

The $1,000 fine will apply to drivers caught texting, emailing, using social media or watching videos. ( Supplied: RACQ )

The increased penalties come after 31 people were killed on WA roads last year as a result of inattention, which includes mobile phone use.

Almost 12,000 motorists were caught by WA Police using their mobile phones behind the wheel in 2019.

Fines to target 'incredibly dangerous' driving

WA Police Minister Michelle Roberts said the higher fines would send a strong message to drivers who engaged in "deliberate risk-taking behaviour".

"I want to make it clear to motorists that using your mobile phone to text or read emails or [make video calls] while you're driving is incredibly dangerous," she said.

"We need to change the culture of many drivers. We've done it before with drink driving, we've done it with seatbelts and speeding. Now we are doing it with mobile phones.

"It may take some time to persuade people to be responsible, but we have to do it in order to make our roads safer."

Police Minister Michelle Roberts says the increased fines are not a revenue raising measure. ( ABC News: Eliza Laschon )

The State Government said the distinction between different types of phone use borrowed from the approach taken in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

But the penalties in those states are not as harsh, with the $1,000 fines in WA and Queensland nearly double the next highest among Australian states and territories.

The Northern Territory has the lowest fine at $250.

Ms Roberts did not point to any specific evidence to prove the fine increase would be effective in reducing mobile phone usage among drivers, but said WA had fallen behind compared to penalties imposed elsewhere in Australia.

Questions over revenue raising

The RAC welcomed the increased penalties for what it called a "major epidemic on our roads".

"Our concern is that there are a lot of blindfolded drivers, so [we need] a mix of more enforcement, better education and also the community understanding the consequences of what they're doing," RAC general manager corporate affairs Will Goldsby said.

Motorists caught talking on their phone while holding the handset will be fined $500. ( ABC News: Kym Agius )

But Mr Goldsby called for more information about where the extra revenue from the fines would go.

"It should be going into the road trauma trust account, and those penalties should be then used to fund road safety initiatives across the state," he said.

"The Government needs to clarify that it is going into that fund … to help with our poor road safety record and the impact of road trauma."

Ms Roberts said the change was not a revenue-raising measure.

"We don't want this to be about increased fines and raising revenue," she said.

"We're wanting to target the worst offenders, we're wanting to give them a message and frankly I hope that it reduces the number of people that are offending, and as a result any [extra] income from this goes down."

Fines will make a difference, advocates say

Road Safety Council chairman Iain Cameron said drivers were best to keep their phones out of reach to avoid the temptation to check them.

"I'd stress, most of us do the right thing, some of us occasionally can't help themselves," he said.

"My advice there is put your phone in the boot, leave it in your handbag or there's many apps now, or even the functions on your phone will connect to the Bluetooth in your car, so you won't be able to receive those while you're driving."

Mr Cameron said attitudes around mobile phone use and driving would not change overnight, but the new fines were an important step in raising the danger they posed.

The driver of this car was jailed after she crashed on the Mitchell Freeway while texting, killing a woman. ( Supplied: District Court )

"It does take time to change attitudes and culture, but this is a really positive step forward. It does and will make a difference," he said.

"We're already seeing vehicles with anti-collision technology … vehicles will increasingly help us, but at the moment we've got these different technologies and they're all useful, but they all form distractions.

"The bottom line is, every serious crash or every fatal crash is wrecking lives and costing millions of dollars. I'd just ask people to think about that when you do reach for that mobile phone.

"If you're concerned about the penalties, which you should be, just don't do it."