Mobile phone use while driving is on the rise. The key message we want to share with drivers is not to use a mobile phone while driving but stop safely at a suitable location and make the phone call or send a text message.
Using a phone while driving is the equivalent of having 0.8 permille of alcohol in the blood for a driver. Compared to normal driving, the time not looking at the road increases fourfold when texting.
Use of mobile phones while driving also has these effects:
slower driver reaction time (50% slower than when driving in normal conditions);
slower detection of road signals and consequent reaction;
longer braking time;
reduced awareness of surroundings and traffic
increased risk in decision making, such as reduced safety distance, poor adjustment to road conditions, and others.
Legal provisions
In accordance with the Road Traffic Rules Act, using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited, and the fine for the offence is EUR 120. This includes calls, texting, browsing, etc.
Only hands-free devices are permitted. However, it should be stressed that hands-free devices also reduce driver concentration due to attention being diverted by the content of the conversation.
