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The Automobile Association (AA) says New Zealand should consider introducing cameras detecting people using their phone while driving, as well as lifting the penalty.
According to Waka Kotahi / New Zealand Transport Authority, a driver was about four times more likely to end up in a crash when using their phone while driving.
However, a recent survey by AA showed more than half of young drivers would text or message on the road, and nearly a quarter would scroll through social media.
Speaking to Morning Report, AA safety spokesperson Dylan Thomsen urged young drivers to turn on "do not disturb" when behind the wheel.
He said it was hard to say why the younger generation were more distracted., but it might be that they were more "used to just constantly being connected through their phones".
"We've done some other survey work which has definitely shown that [for] people under 25, the rates are much, much higher for them saying that they are using their phone in a variety of ways when they're behind the wheel," he said.
"It's a really bad combination because in those early years, it's also when people have the highest risk of being involved in a crash for a variety of reasons.
"It's a real bad cocktail to have our highest-risk drivers being distracted by their phones the most."
AA supported advocacy group Students Against Dangerous Driving's [ https://www.aa.co.nz/about/newsroom/media-releases/the-aa-and-sadd-encourage-easy-habits-to-save-lives/message] around turning "do not disturb" on this month, Thomsen said.
"If we just put our phone in 'do not disturb' or silent, if we make that a habit, that can make a huge difference because it removes the temptation."
He said although penalties for people who use their phone while driving had been increased in recent years, enforcement was also a "big piece of the puzzle".
"I think we need to look at the penalties around cellphone use and whether those need to be lifted higher.
"There [are] also some cameras out there now that can actually detect people using their phones or not wearing seatbelts, similar to speed cameras.
"We think New Zealand should be looking at bringing those in because we're going to need a whole bunch of different things happening to try and get on top of this."
Thomsen also said "distractions can come in many shapes and forms", and people should avoid being distracted by things like eating or drinking.
"When you're behind the wheel, you need to be focused 100 percent on your driving and what's happening on the road around you. It's just not worth trying to eat, drink, do other things."
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