STATE: Mobile phone penalty increased to $433

Our mobile phone obsession has led authorities to toughen laws for Victorian drivers, amid fears texting and tweeting will lead to tragedy.

The penalty for illegally using a phone while driving will rise almost $150 to $433 from November 25 and include four demerit points.

Under the mobile phone crackdown, P-plate drivers will be banned from using their phones altogether.

If they are caught illegally using their phone, they will incur four of their five demerit points.

The changes will be submitted for approval this week.