Do not use your phone while driving
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.