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Drivers using mobile phones behind the wheel will receive six points on their licence and an on-the-spot fine of £200, the Government has announced.
New drivers, meanwhile, could lose their licence if they are caught on the phone.
At present, offenders are fined £100 and receive three points on their licence, however the new transport minister, Chris Grayling, said the use of mobiles is as bad as drink or drug-driving.
"We all have a part to play in ensuring our family and friends do not use their phones while driving," said Grayling as he promised "a tougher new penalty regime."
According to figures released by the RAC, an estimated 11 million motorists admitted to making or receiving a phone call whilst on the move, while a further five million said they have taken photos or videos while driving.
The breakdown company said the proportion of people who feel it is acceptable to take a call while on the road has doubled from 7% in 2014 to 14% in 2016, while the percentage of drivers who have admitted to using their phones while driving has increased to 31% compared to 8% two years ago.
Meanwhile, 14% said they have taken photos or videos while driving, with the percentage increasing fastest among younger drivers, with 36% of those aged between 17 and 24 admitting to using a camera on the move.
The RAC claimed that two-fifths of motorists (41%) surveyed ranked the use of phones by other drivers behind the wheel as one of their top four concerns
"There is clear evidence that the illegal use of handheld phones by drivers to talk, text, tweet, post, browse and even video call is, if anything, on the increase. It is alarming to see that some drivers have clearly relaxed their attitudes to the risks associated with this behaviour but more worrying is the increase in the percentage of motorists who actually admit to using a handheld device when driving," said an RAC road safety spokesman. "The fact that drivers have little or no confidence that they will be caught when breaking these laws is a likely contributor to the problem and it is sadly the case that every day most road users see other drivers brazenly using their handheld phones when in control of a vehicle - a sight which should be a thing of the past."
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