But the 17-year-old year 11 student said P-plate drivers will probably think the new rules are ‘a bit harsh’.

“The new rules are certainly an incentive to think about not using your phone while driving,” Emma said.

“There is always a risk, and is that risk worth it.

“I put my phone on silent when I’m about to drive off and don’t touch it at all. I mean, some people have accidents just walking around and texting.

“I don’t think some P-plate drivers understand the power of the machine they are driving, where they can injure pedestrians, passengers or themselves.”

Emma said her peers held similar views to her and don’t use their phone while driving.

Of the new measures to be implemented, Emma said extending the licence period for six months for each suspension due to demerit point offences would probably be the most effective.

She said any extension in time would ‘be like a lifetime’ for anyone aged 17 or 18 years.

“Having your licence extended will be the last thing P-platers want to see happen to them,” she said.

And while Emma said the planned changes would probably work, she also suggested a few other possible alternatives.

“When I was learning to drive, much of the information about driving safely revolved around speeding and drink driving,” she said.

“There was not as much prominence given to mobile phone use. Perhaps there should be a change to the school curriculum where the dangers of mobile phone usage and driving are included in PDH.

“As a young driver, we are already bombarded with information overload … advertising doesn’t work, the message doesn’t sink in.

“Education is the key.”

Minister backs decision

The Minister for Roads Duncan Gay has backed changes to laws covering P-plate drivers.

The changes include a raft of changes including P2 licensed drivers banned from using mobile phones whilst driving.

“So far this year we have lost 21 young members from our community in crashes involving P Plate drivers - that is more than a rugby team that won’t come home to their families because of accidents which could have been avoided,” the roads minister said.

“Seeing young people pass away at these rates year on year is beyond heartbreaking and is exactly what has motivated this government to introduce schemes like the Safe Drivers Course which ensures our beginner drivers are equipped and confident when they start driving unsupervised. 

“We’re also making some changes to the existing scheme to get your licence, increasing the time on a P licence for the naughty kids and extending the complete ban on mobile phones while driving for P2 licence holders.

“These small changes are important and part of our wider investigation into what we can do to try and help young drivers from making silly decisions on the road and think twice before they speed or snapchat.”

Police are also appealing to learner and P-plate drivers to avoid taking any risks while behind the wheel.

Despite making up only about 15 per cent of all drivers, NSWPF road toll statistics show younger drivers represent more than a third of annual road fatalities.

In the last financial year, police issued 21,637 infringements to learner and provisional drivers, 590 more than the previous year.

Port Macquarie was listed as seventh on the top 10 locations for the infringements with 129 notices issued.

Dubbo topped the list with 289, followed by Goulburn with 217, Nabiac with 155 and Armidale with 143.

A breakdown of figures for mobile phone use while driving, not comply with road rules, seat belt use and speeding top the list of offences saw the following infringement notices issued: mobile phone, 994; not comply, 16087; restraint, 640; speeding, 3916.

Mobile phone ban for P2 drivers – P2 licence holders will no longer be permitted to use a mobile phone at all while driving or riding. Effective December 1, 2016.

Driver Qualification Test scrapped – Driver Qualification Test, which is currently a requirement for P2 drivers to progress to an unrestricted licence, will be scrapped. Effective November 1 2017.

P2 licence extension for suspended drivers – The minimum tenure for P2 licence holders will be extended by 6 months each time they receive a licence suspension for demerit point offences or higher risk offences. 

The tenure extension will not apply if the suspension is not related to a road offence, such as defaulting on a fine or on medical grounds. 

The suspension period is not included in the tenure period. Effective November 1, 2017 

Hazard Perception Test moved – The Hazard Perception Test, which is currently a requirement for P1 drivers to progress to a P2 licence, will be shifted to be a requirement for learner drivers to progress to a P1 licence. Effective November 1, 2017