Australians could soon be banned from using a mobile phone or installing a phone kit in a motor vehicle if the Federal Standing Committee on Transport have their way.

Australians could soon be banned from using a mobile phone in a motor vehicle if  the Federal Standing Committee on Transport have their way.

There is also a possibility that local councils could start booking motorists for speeding on local streets.

The measures are part of National Road Safety Strategy plan that is currently being considered by The Federal Standing Committee on Transport.

Several months ago we revealed that the Committee was looking at tough new measures designed to curb the use of mobile phones in vehicles.

Among the measures now being considered is the total banning of hands free kits and the introduction of random drug testing.
The only exceptions to the mobile phone ban will be taxi and specific long distance transport drivers.

Currently the measures are being discussed with State Transport department heads.

News Ltd said that some of the proposals, such as giving councils the power to operate speed cameras on local roads, do not have the full support of all transport ministers, although some local government authorities are lobbying hard for the measures.

The ministers will meet in Alice Springs on May 20 to finalise the strategy, which aims to reduce the national road toll by 30 per cent over the next decade.

It is understood the states support the banning of mobile phone hands-free but some states have sought more information about the impact on taxi, bus and heavy vehicle drivers, who were also facing the ban.