Number is up for drivers using mobile phones as tough new laws considered by ...

THE State Government will consider tough new laws - including double demerit point losses - for motorists using mobile phones while driving.

The Courier-Mail can reveal options discussed as a part of the Queensland Road Safety Action Plan 2013-15 include raising the penalty to $430 and four points, or six demerit point losses for motorists caught twice within a year.

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Motorists currently face fines of $330 and losses of three demerit points.

There were more than 110,000 mobile phone fines issued between 2010 and September.

But Transport Minister Scott Emerson said he favoured education over increased penalties.

'However if there is an increase in mobile phone use while driving then we will look at tougher penalties,' he said. 'If you can't resist the temptation to check your phone while driving then put it in the boot, your handbag or the glovebox.'

It comes as the Government launched billboards with the 'L8R' message on major highways to urge people to stop using mobile phones while on the roads.

About 6000 double-demerit infringements are handed out every year to people caught twice within 12 months without seatbelts, motorcycle helmets and travelling more than 20km/h over the limit.

Victoria currently leads the nation with mobile phone penalties, with motorists facing fines of $433 and four demerit point losses.

Motorists received 28,700 fines for mobile phone use last year, compared to 30,000 in 2011 and 33,000 in 2010. There were almost 19,000 up to September this year.

Queensland Attorney-General Jarrod Bleijie has appealed the sentence given to Meghan Catherine Elizabeth Hopper, 19, who killed Taiwanese fruit-picker Chen-Chuan Yang, 25, while looking at Google Maps while driving in July 2012.

Five months later, she was again caught using Google Maps while driving.