The Government wants to increase the penalty for breaking cell phone ban
If you are repeatedly caught with cell phone in your hand while driving, you may in the future lose your driver’s license. That is if the Government’s proposal is endorsed by the Norwegian Parliament.
The Government wishes to introduce endorsement of the driver’s license for breaking the ban on using handheld phones while driving. Each violation is followed by three dots in the driver’s license. If you are caught twice, you are only two dots away from losing your license, reports TV 2.
The Ministry of Transport has just issued the proposal for consultation.
Today, illegal cell phone use is penalized with a fine of NOK 1,650. The Traffic Police (UP) writes out between 15,000 and 20,000 fines annually for illegal use of cell phones.
– We know that three out of ten fatalities in traffic are caused by inattention and distraction. Illegal mobile phone use is one of the things that distracts drivers, so it’s important to tighten this regulation by accompanying it with dots in your license, says Head of UP, Runar Karlsen.
The consultation deadline is set for September 5th.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
