© RTL
After alcohol consumption and speeding, using a smartphone while on the road has become the third most common reason for accidents.
The Road Safety Association and the Ministry of Mobility will launch an awareness campaign at the start of the new school year to attract attention to the dangers of using a smartphone while being a moving part of traffic.
Cyclists and pedestrians in particular, who risk serious injuries in the event of an accident, should stay fully alert in traffic and use all their senses.
In addition to the risk of accidents, there could also be legal repercussions, says the president of the Road Safety Association Paul Hammelmann:
“Here is an extreme example: if a pedestrian walks over a crosswalk looking at their phone and wearing headphones, they could be held partially responsible if something happens even if they have full priority. The reason is that they did not behave reasonably and cautiously, as is always stated in the police report.”
One could face a fine and even lose points on their driving license. Theoretically, one's driver's license could even be revoked.
In addition to raising awareness, the Road Safety Association is also considering concrete lighting measures, similar to what already exists in some places abroad.
“These are lights that are embedded in the ground, sometimes flashing, sometimes not, but always turned on so they are visible even in daylight. This effectively gives pedestrians more safety because drivers know they are approaching a zone where they no longer have priority and need to be alert to whether someone is crossing.”
Besides pedestrians and cyclists, motorcyclists are also considered among the most vulnerable road users. Helmets with built-in communication systems are permitted, but they should not be used to listen to loud music.
