Queensland drivers who use their mobile phones behind the wheel may soon be hit with a hefty on-the-spot fine, and on a second offence risk losing their licence.

Key points: The new penalty would be more than double the current fine

The new penalty would be more than double the current fine The Government says it's necessary to stop deaths on Queensland roads

The Government says it's necessary to stop deaths on Queensland roads It says phone companies should also be involved in preventing people from texting and driving

The Queensland Government's planned crackdown on distracted drivers would introduce a $1,000 on-the-spot penalty — more than double the current fine of $400.

Those caught for the same offence a second time could be stripped of their licence altogether.

Queensland Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the measures were necessary to deal with the scourge of distracted driving.

"I think increasing the value of the fine to $1,000 for distracted driving and similar offences will deter this dangerous behaviour," he said.

What you'll be fined if you text and drive: State Current fine SA $534 Vic $484 ACT $470 Qld $400 WA $400 NSW $337 NT $250 Tas $326 *In some states there are higher fines for Learner drivers or in school zones

The fine for using a mobile with driving in New South Wales is $337. In Victoria it is $484.

The Government said it had been reviewing penalties for a range of driving offences after the deaths of 40 people on Queensland roads over the last two months.

Mr Bailey said research had shown distracted driving was as dangerous as drink-driving.

"People are literally killing themselves and killing others because they can't keep their hands off their phone," he said.

He said 38 people were killed and 1,224 hospitalised by distracted drivers on Queensland's roads in 2017.

Those caught a second time could be stripped of their licences. ( Flickr: Jim Sheaffer )

"Families and the wider community forever pay the price for that decision to check social media or read a text," Mr Bailey said.

'People need to know they'll be caught': RACQ

RACQ spokesman Paul Turner warned increased fines and the threat of a cancelled licence would only go part of the way to changing driver behaviour.

"The biggest problem with distracted driving is many drivers think they can get away with it because they're good drivers and also no-one's going to catch them," he said.

"So fines could be $1 million but if a motorist doesn't believe they're going to get caught then those fines are irrelevant.

"What we need to do is match the fines with dedicated behaviour by other organisations like the Queensland Police.

"We know the police are on this issue, we know they're frustrated as well but they probably need to be given the tools to actually tackle distracted driving and the best way to do that is more visible police on our roads."

He said stripping people of their licence is a very serious step.

"We do do it obviously with very high speed offences and with drink driving, but 'one offence and then out' in this situation may seem a little harsh," Mr Turner said.

NSW has been trialling cameras capable of detecting drivers using their phones day or night and in all weather conditions. ( Supplied: NSW Government )

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said too many people were dying from "senseless distraction".

"Fatal crashes from mobile phone use just horrify me," she said.

"Looking at your phone while driving or sending a quick text behind the wheel is something sadly the majority of drivers will own up to having done.

"Everyone knows it's dangerous but it's too easy for people to do it."

Mr Bailey said tools to block the use of mobiles being used while driving could also play a part in stopping deaths.

"Over the past few months, our government has led a conversation with vehicle manufacturers, technology companies, insurers, telecommunications companies, academics, legal professionals and other stakeholders to discuss solutions to distracted driving.

"Time is overdue for us to get this right — all our lives depend on it," he said.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington described the proposal as a "cash grab" and said she wanted to see more detail.

"I'd like to see the evidence that this will be a deterrent," she said.

"I'd also like to make sure that any money that is raised from it goes directly back into road safety or improving our roads.

"Increasing the fine possibly doesn't always decrease the number of morons using their phones while they're driving."

The announcement comes ahead of the three-day Driver Distraction National Summit, opening in Brisbane tomorrow.

About 70 road safety and industry experts are set to participate in the summit.