What do regulations about phone use in traffic amount to?

Answer

In the Netherlands, handheld phone use (or use of other electronic devices that can be used for communication and information processing) while driving is prohibited [61]. Nor may telephones be clasped between ear and shoulder. However, operating a phone in a holder is allowed. All EU countries have banned handheld phone use. In most countries, handsfree mobile phone use is allowed. In many American states, however, a prohibition of handsfree mobile phone use by young drivers and school bus drivers applies. For information about the effectiveness of the phone use ban for drivers see the question Which countermeasures targeting driver distraction are implemented, and how effective are they?

Since July 2019, use of a mobile phone or other electronic communication and information processing devices while cycling has been forbidden in the Netherlands [61]. In Europe, legislation on this subject varies. In Sweden, Finland, Norway, Great Britain, and Ireland for example, handheld calling while cycling is not forbidden, whereas it is banned in Denmark, Germany and Austria. A prohibition of phone use while walking, on the other hand, is extremely rare, although in Lithuania mobile phone use while crossing is prohibited.

Part of fact sheet

Distraction in traffic

The mobile phone is symbolic of ‘distraction in traffic’.

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