Under the new legislation green P-plate drivers must not use any function at all on their mobile phone while driving or riding motorbikes. Green P-plate licence holders will have the same restrictions as learner and red P-plate licence holders.

Up to until December 1, 2016 drivers on their green P-plates were able to use their mobile phones to listen to music on their phone if it is in a cradle, use bluetooth to make and receive calls,  dial a number if mobile phones were in a cradle and use the GPS function. 

Fern Brassington is a 30-year-old P-plate driver who said she has always pulled over to answer a call or phoned back later but uses her phone hands free for GPS. 

“I honestly don't think it will have an impact on the P-platers that were already doing the wrong thing by using their phone to text or call whilst driving, these rules are already being ridiculed for how grey they are,” she said. 

Joseph Walsh said it's unfair a law can change which impacts P-platers after buying expensive bluetooth equipment for GPS and music so it's all hands free and less distracting than a passenger.

“I don't touch my phone while driving, that's the point of Bluetooth,” he said.

“It plays music for you and is voice controlled so you don't need to take your eyes off the road. Would you rather me change a radio station or CD while driving,?”

“Try to remember that us P-platers aren't all bad, some of us drive every day and know the rules well.”

Robyn Smith said that the law may well be an inconvenience but if it saves a life of one, that's a good thing.

Joy Stennett said that when road rules are made there are always some people who think the lawmakers are just picking on the young but she believes they are trying to keep them safe.

“No driver should use a phone for any reason while driving,” she said.

“Buy a GPS that plugs into you vehicle they are not expensive.”

Dani Lou said the amount of near hits she has had with non P-platers not paying attention while driving and using their phone ‘is ridiculous’.

Vicki Louise Hoogland said obviously it's a stupid idea to use your phone and drive.

“But what about if you turn your maps on, put in where you want to go, get in the car, put your phone on the passenger seat and don't touch it,” she said.

“You can still get booked for using GPS.”

Kelli Broderick said considering she sees more non p-platers on their phones, it should be a law for all or none.

Rick Thompson said that ‘facts are facts’ and mobile phones used for whatever purpose are a distraction.

“As a motorcyclist the number of drivers head down in their phones while wandering across lanes, speed variation and changing lanes without indication or due care is downright frightening,” he said. 

Dylan Miazek said that his phone is set up to automatically to connect to his car’s stereo system via Bluetooth, open his music app of choice and start playing music from a predetermined playlist.

He said he does it all without the phone ever leaving his pocket or touching it.

“Hardly a distraction,” he said.