Hefty fines for using mobiles while driving in Europe 02/05/2008 00:00
Most countries in Europe have either doubled or increased sharply the fines to as high as EUR 160.
2 May 2008
MUNICH - Most European countries have imposed hefty penalties for the use of mobile phones in the car with fines of between EUR 100 and 160, according to Germany's motoring association ADAC.
Some 30 European countries have either doubled or sharply increased the fines for using a mobile while behind the wheel.
Fines in countries such as Belgium, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Hungary were the highest. Britain has also doubled the fine to EUR 75.
Sweden and Serbia are two of the few countries with no specific ban on mobile phone use in the car, but both countries have hefty penalties for drivers involved in an accident or found responsible for negligent driving, the ADAC said.
In Germany, the fine is EUR 40 but motorists are registered with one point in a central data bank that monitors serious traffic offences.
[dpa / flickr photo by talkingdc / Expatica]
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2 reactions to this article
Brian Flack posted: 02-05-2008 | 4:48 PM
Your article about fines for the use of mobile phones while driving should have made it clear that it applies to 'hand-held' mobile phones. The use of 'hands-free' phones is not banned although it is recommended that they should only be used to receive calls. Punching in an outgoing number or sending an SMS is evidently classed as driving without due care and attention.
M Modderkolk posted: 05-05-2008 | 10:38 AM
I think they should ban the use of GPS devices while driving too. I've experienced it too many times where drivers slow right down or weave across lanes while looking at their GPS screen
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