More than a third of Australian motorists use a hand-held phone while driving, according to a new survey by the country’s government.

The 2011 ‘Survey of Community Attitudes to Road Safety’ shows that while drivers have a good understanding of road safety issues and 86% agree that using a mobile phone while driving increases their risk of crashing, many still take unnecessary risks.

Catherine King, Australia Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Transport, said: "The findings suggest that Australians generally have good awareness of the major factors involved in road crashes, such as speeding, drink driving, lack of concentration and fatigue.

"It also shows that Australians, on the whole, approve of existing traffic regulation and enforcement practices. Yet 28% of people continue to believe it is okay to speed ‘if you are driving safely’, and 70% of drivers admit they sometimes drive 10km/h or more above the speed limit."

Almost 31% of respondents in the survey admit to reading and 14% say they have sent messages while driving. 13% of drivers say they have fallen asleep at the wheel, while 44% among them say it has happened more than once.

The survey revealed a public support for an increase in speed enforcement, with 35% supporting it, while 24% agreed for harsher speeding penalties and nearly 98% support random breath testing.

The report was released last year by federal, state and territory transport ministers; it targets mobile phone usage, speeding and fatigue, as well as other issues.

The strategy includes actions to improve compliance with mobile phone laws to strengthen enforcement of speed limits, encourage vehicle technologies that help drivers manage their speeds, raise the public understanding of driver fatigue and expand the availability of roadside rest areas.