Mobile phone use while driving statistics in Australia
Drivers using a phone, hands-free or not, are almost 4 times more likely to crash, yet many Australians still do it.
Key takeaways
- A 2005 study found drivers were almost 4 times more likely to crash while using a phone, hands-free or not.
- Illegal phone use can affect your car insurance premium: in Finder's comparison of 5 insurers, 3 didn't ask about mobile phone demerit points at all, but the 2 that did (Budget Direct and QBE) charged $597.37 and $643.22 more per year respectively.
- Hands-free mobile phone use is just as distracting and risky as holding one.
Hundreds of car accidents occur every year in Australia as a result of mobile phone use. According to the Transport Accident Commission, all forms of distraction are dangerous and can increase the risk of a serious crash. At 50km/h, a driver who takes their eyes off the road for just 2 seconds travels 28 metres "blind".
Key statistics
- 18% of Australians use their mobile while driving, according to a 2023 Finder survey of 1,090 respondents.
- Taking your eyes off the road for more than 2 seconds doubles your risk of crashing.
- Your car insurance premiums could go up by 17% if you've been fined for illegal mobile phone use.
18% of Australians use their mobile while driving
Unfortunately, many Australians still feel comfortable using their phones on the road. According to a Finder survey of 1,090 respondents published in July 2023, 18% of people admitted to using their mobile phones while driving.
Another survey of 2,492 Victorians by the Transport Accident Commission revealed that 52% of people said they used a mobile phone while driving.
| Mobile phone usage | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Texted | 13% |
| Used social media | 9% |
| Watched a movie | 7% |
| Replied to an email | 7% |
| Answered a call (not using hands-free) | 6% |
*It's worth noting the total doesn't amount to 18% here because respondents could pick 1 or more things that they'd done.
Australia's deadly roads
Despite ongoing efforts to reduce road deaths, Australia's annual road toll is rising. In the 12 months to March 2026 there were 1,326 road deaths, up 3.0% on the previous year and up from 1,136 in the 12 months to March 2022. In March 2026 alone there were 106 road deaths, 1.1% lower than the average for March over the previous 5 years.
New road fatality data also shows that deaths are returning to the pre-pandemic trend. Road deaths only decreased by 0.5% from 2013 to 2022.
Mobile phone-related deaths
According to Transport for NSW, being distracted while driving increases your chances of having a crash and slows down your reaction time.
According to the QLD Government, on average 29 people are killed and 1,284 seriously injured each year as a result of crashes where driver distraction played a part.
However, it's very difficult to obtain evidence of when a mobile phone was used, so it's likely to be underreported in crash data.
According to the Australian Automobile Association, distracted driving is the main contributing factor in approximately 16% of serious casualty road crashes. Several reports have shown distracted driving may be as dangerous, if not more dangerous than drink driving.
The common assumption is that using a hands-free device while driving is safer than using a handheld phone. Unfortunately, studies have shown this isn't true.
"Conversation is a distraction. When drivers use a mobile phone there's an increased likelihood of a crash resulting in injury. Using a hands-free device isn't any safer," Mark Stevenson, professor of urban transport and public health at The University of Melbourne, says.
A 2005 study which Stevenson led showed that drivers were almost 4 times more likely to crash while using a phone, hands-free or not.
Another study by Queensland University of Technology (QUT) also found that using a hands-free mobile phone is just as distracting as holding it in your hand.
Financial penalties
The fine for mobile phone use while driving is $434. There's a $577 fine for use in a school zone.
NSW has some of the highest demerit point penalties for illegal mobile phone use: 5 demerit points, rising to 10 during double demerit periods.
It's illegal to hold and use your phone while stationary at traffic lights or stuck in traffic.
As at 1 July 2026, the fine in Victoria for using a mobile phone while driving is $627 and 4 demerit points, according to Fines Victoria. Fine amounts are adjusted every July.
Mobile phone and seatbelt detection cameras have been introduced across the state to try to reduce the number of lives lost due to distracted driving.
Queensland has the largest fines for illegal mobile phone use. You can be fined $1,295 and have 4 demerit points recorded against your traffic history for illegal use of a mobile phone while driving. This includes when you're stopped at traffic lights or stopped in traffic.
Double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent phone offences committed within 1 year of an earlier offence.
Open and P2 licence holders can also be fined for hands-free use of a phone in Queensland if the driver isn't in proper control of the vehicle or is deemed to be driving without proper care and attention.
Learner and P1 drivers under 25 are not allowed to use hands-free, wireless headsets or a mobile phone's loudspeaker function. Passengers of learner and P1 provisional drivers are also banned from using a mobile phone's loudspeaker function.
Similar to other states, the Queensland government has installed mobile phone detection cameras across the state.
In NT there's a $500 fine and 3 demerit points for using a mobile phone while driving.
You cannot use a handheld mobile phone or visual display unit while driving, even if you're stopped at traffic lights.
In WA the fine for touching or holding a mobile phone while not in a cradle to make, receive or end a voice call is $500 and 3 demerit points. The fine goes up to $1,000 and 4 demerit points for creating, sending or looking at a text, email, social media, photo or video.
The fine for getting caught using your phone while driving is $540 and 3 demerit points.
Learner's permit and P1 provisional drivers are not allowed to use a mobile phone at all while driving. This includes using hands-free mode, loudspeaker, GPS and text messaging.
In TAS the penalty for using your phone while driving is $390 and 3 demerit points. Detection cameras were rolled out across the state in the middle of 2023.
Learner and P1 provisional licence holders will also incur a fine of $390 and 3 demerit points if caught using the mobile phone while the vehicle is moving or stationary, but not parked.
In the ACT the fine is $514 and 3 demerit points for driving using a mobile phone.
If you're caught using a mobile phone for messaging, social networking, mobile application or accessing the internet, you'll be fined $632 and 4 demerit points.
Learner and provisional drivers are not allowed to use a mobile phone while driving at all. If you touch your mobile device, it's considered an offence and you could be fined.
Car insurance premiums
Car insurance companies may refuse a claim if illegal phone use while driving amounted to careless or reckless driving or breached your policy conditions, so check the exclusions in your product disclosure statement (PDS). In fact, depending on the severity of the fines, some insurers may deem these people as high risk drivers. As a result, it's likely you'll find it harder and more expensive to get car insurance if you've been fined for texting while driving.
Finder got comprehensive car insurance quotes from 5 different insurers with 2 different driver profiles: 1 with demerit points for a mobile phone offence and 1 without.
3 insurers did not ask if the driver had any points when getting a preliminary quote. However, Budget Direct and QBE charged the driver with points significantly more, $597.37 and $643.22 extra per year, respectively. With the difference being hundreds of dollars, it's well worth shopping around to find the best car insurance for those who have incurred demerit points.
Table updated April 2026
Sources
More resources on Finder
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