The $319 fine will remain unchanged.

Deputy Premier and Police Minister Troy Grant and Roads Minister Duncan Gay announced tougher demerit point penalties for mobile phone offences in a bid to get hands off phones and eyes back on the road.

Mobile phone offences will be added to double demerit periods, starting during this year's Christmas holiday.

An additional demerit point will be added to the existing standard penalty of three points from early next year.

"Holding your mobile phone to call or text while driving is extremely dangerous and just plain reckless for you, your passengers and everyone else on the road," Mr Grant said.

He said double demerits were an effective road safety initiative with road deaths during holiday periods reducing by a third since they were introduced.

"By expanding them to mobile phone offences, we're hoping motorists will heed the message resulting in fewer deaths and injuries," Mr Grant said.

Mr Gay he had been looking at what more he could do to deter people using their mobile phones while driving - particularly after seeing recent figures.

"Last year there were about 35,000 fines handed out for the illegal use of a mobile phone - that is just too many," he said.

"I am not a fan of draconian fines but we need to see these stats go down - and if this doesn't deter motorists, then I'll hit them in the hip pocket.

"I'll do whatever it takes to get the message out - using your mobile phone while driving can kill."

Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said there were many instances where mobile phone use while driving led to serious injury and fatal crashes on our roads.