The case in summary: There has been a sharp decline in the number of people caught for illegal mobile phone use in cars in recent years. The fine rates for illegal mobile use have increased, and it now costs NOK 10,200 and 3 dots on the driver’s license if you are caught. The police are warning of increased control activity in the future, with a focus on, among other things, illegal mobile phone use. In 2020, 17,746 simplified summonses were issued for illegal mobile use in Norway, while in 2023 the number was down to 6,427. From Monday, police across Europe will have an increased focus on dangerous behavior in traffic in connection with this year’s ROADPOL Safety Days. One of the EU’s goals is to halve the number of fatal accidents by 2030, which has become a challenge. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAI. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. – We see that there is a decline from earlier. We hope this is because fewer people use their mobile phones illegally. That’s what acting chief of the Emergency Police, Roar Skjelbred Larsen, says. After several years of a decrease in the number of simplified summonses for illegal mobile use, the number increased in 2020. Since then there has been a sharp decrease. The police are now warning of increased control activity in the future, where, among other things, illegal mobile phone use is in focus. FOCUS: In the coming days, the police in both Norway and other European countries will have an increased focus on mobile phone use. Photo: Simon Skjelvik Brandseth / news Sharp decline In recent years there has been a sharp increase in the fine rates for illegal mobile phone use in this country. Now it costs NOK 10,200 and 3 points on the driver’s license if you are caught using a hand-held mobile phone while driving. What do you think about today’s fine rate? Quite alright Too low Too high Show result Although there is reason to believe that it is a dark figure, all the time the police cannot observe all illegal mobile phone use, Larsen is happy about the decline they are now seeing. – There can be various reasons for this, but we hope and wish that there is a change in the behavior of motorists. Hopefully not to a more dangerous behaviour, but that one refrains from using mobile phones in an illegal way, he says. DECREASE: Acting head of the Emergency Police, Roar Skjelbred Larsen, hopes more people will put their mobile phones down when they are out driving. Photo: Anne Lognvik / news In 2020, 17,746 simplified summonses were issued for illegal mobile use in Norway, according to figures that news has obtained access to. This includes summonses from both the police districts and UP districts. In 2023, the number of submissions was down to 6,427 – a decrease of over 60 per cent. DECREASE IN 2024?: In 2023 there was a sharp decline in issued simplified orders in Troms. So far this year, the decline looks set to continue. Here from Harstad police station. Photo: Henrik Einangshaug / news While nationally there has been a decline from 2020, the number of reports for illegal mobile use in Troms police district increased in 2021. In 2023, however, the same trend that has been seen nationally was experienced. In 2024, the decline looks set to continue, with around 300 simplified orders issued so far this year. – If the numbers are real and there actually turns out to be a decline, then that is very gratifying. Using a mobile phone while driving helps take attention away from the traffic, and is a major risk factor, says assistant district leader in the North, police inspector Yngve Widding. More checks From Monday, the police across Europe will have an increased focus on dangerous behavior in traffic. This is in connection with the annual action week ROADPOL Safety Days. – We carry out the checks in the same way as we do every single day. There will probably be a few more checks in some police districts because we have this week, says Larsen. Widding points out that interaction in traffic is also about paying attention when traveling in traffic. – One car moves 22 meters per second when driving at 80 km/h. If you look at your phone for three seconds while driving at 80 km/h, you’ve suddenly traveled 66 meters on the road and seen nothing. It is clear that it is associated with risk. Assistant district manager in the North, police inspector Yngve Widding. Photo: Erik Waagbø / news Struggling to reach the 2030 target The purpose of the ROADPOL campaign is the EU’s zero vision for road fatalities and serious injuries by 2050. – By reducing speed, refraining from mobile phone use while driving and avoiding driving under the influence, can the drivers contribute to achieving this goal, says transport policy spokesperson in the European Commission, Adalbert Jahnz. He states that these days are also aimed at pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooters One of the EU’s goals is to halve the number of fatal accidents by 2030, which Jahnz says has become a challenge. That is why it is crucial to increase awareness of the importance of road safety, he believes. – This will remain crucial until we see a sharp reduction in accidents in all member states. The hand-held mobile phone law Photo: Simon Skjelvik Brandseth / news Regulations prohibiting the driver’s use of a hand-held mobile phone while driving a motor vehicle. Use of a mobile phone is defined as “any operation of the mobile phone’s functions”. § 2. Driver’s use of a mobile phone while driving a motor vehicle The driver of a motor vehicle must not use a mobile phone while driving. The driver can still use the mobile phone to initiate, carry out and end a call when the mobile phone is hands-free while driving or is placed in a holder. The holder must be firmly fixed in the immediate vicinity of the steering wheel and as close to the driver’s ordinary field of vision while driving as practically possible, unless the holder is an integral part of the vehicle’s original interior. When the mobile phone is used hands-free, it can also be used to control and play audio files. Source: Law data – Put down the phone Larsen states that, in addition to increased focus on illegal mobile phone use, the police will monitor the use of seat belts. – In several fatal accidents, the driver has not used the seat belt. It is one of the cheapest and simplest road safety measures, he says. He himself believes that it is “completely incomprehensible” that many people still do not use their seat belts. Larsen and Widding have a clear appeal to all road users: – Focus on driving, that’s more than enough. Do not ignore your mobile phone or screen, which leads to inattention and serious accidents. – Put your phone down and concentrate on driving. Today’s phones are also such that you can set it to “do not disturb”, so you avoid the pinging of apps and everything that is on the phone, says Widding. Published 15.09.2024, at 16.33
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Fewer and fewer people are being caught for illegal mobile phone use in cars – now the police are warning of more checks – news Troms and Finnmark
