The new research found young drivers are more likely to use their phone while driving for entertainment purposes like listening to music more than any other reason.

The research, partially funded by an NRMA Road Safety Trust grant, examined how young drivers used their phones while driving, why they chose to use their phones and what could predict the use of a mobile phone.

According to the results, a higher percentage of fully licensed young drivers used their phones while driving compared with those on learner or provisional licences.

A survey of 612 drivers aged 17 to 24 from the ACT and surrounds found that 78 per cent of participants had used their phone to play music in the week prior to completing the survey.

Seventy per cent had read a text message while driving and 53 per cent had sent a text while driving. About 60 per cent had used the phone as a GPS device.

The responses were specifically in relation to physically using the phone, which is illegal, not using it legally through a hands-free function.

Making and answering calls was reported in less than 50 per cent of the participants and 21 per cent had accessed social media such as Facebook.

One of the researchers, Dr Amanda George, said the survey was followed up with focus groups that explored the findings in more depth with a particular focus on the psychological variables that could influence phone use.

"The main themes for why the phones were being used was for entertainment, to connect with others and for practical purposes such as a GPS, highlighting how reliant we are on our phones these days," Dr George said.

"What was interesting in the focus groups was again it emphasised the complete normalisation of it.

"Among their peer group the perception was that almost everyone does it, people know that it’s risky but they’re going to do it anyway."

Dr George said this was in stark contrast to the young drivers' views on drink driving.

"Drink driving in our focus groups was perceived very negatively, considered very unacceptable and risky but mobile phone use was acceptable even while risky," she said.

University student Nick Cavalli, 19, who has had his provisional licence for over a year said this matched what he had experienced among his group of friends.

"Drink driving is definitely looked down upon," Mr Cavalli said.

"There's times we've been out at night and we've stopped a friend from driving if we think they've had a drink.

"But I don't remember any times when a mate has pulled up maps quickly and anyone has said 'don't do that'."

Mr Cavalli said he might set up his phone to play music or use GPS prior to driving but doesn't touch it while driving as it had been drilled into him by parents and driving instructors that it was dangerous.

He said sending a Snapchat from the car had become popular among his peers and he regularly received images and videos from friends' cars through the app.

A fear of being seen using the phone by police and potentially facing a fine or demerit points was the biggest personal reason to not use the phone, Mr Cavalli said.

This differentiated from the research findings which found that a perceived risk of a crash was a higher predictor of phone use than a perceived risk of getting caught.

Dr George said the study also examined anticipated regret of mobile phone use while driving and this was an area to target in the hope of stopping young drivers using their phones.

One potential solution Dr George would like to see explored would be a reward system for young drivers for not using mobile phones while driving.

She had a vision for an app that could monitor phone use while driving which could lead to reductions in insurance or licence costs for young drivers for whom a financial incentive could prove valuable.

"I personally and my team feel very passionately about developing interventions to basically save young peoples' lives," she said.

"I would love it in 20 years time if people said 'I can’t believe people used to use their phones while driving'."