Our latest round-up of road safety news from across Europe – courtesy of TISPOL – includes details of fines for cyclists caught texting in the Netherlands.
Under legislation which came into effect on 1 July, cyclists – as well as riders of scooters and mobility scooters – will be fined 95 euros for using a handheld mobile device while on the road.
By comparison, drivers caught using a mobile phone while responsible for a motorised vehicle face a fine of 240 euros.
Cora van Nieuwenhuizen, Dutch transport minister, said: “In the traffic, an accident is just around the corner and this is why it’s important for all road users – including cyclists – to keep their eyes and minds on the road and not on their telephone screen.”
Meanwhile in Croatia, the Government has agreed tougher laws for the ‘gravest’ traffic violations – more than doubling fines.
These fines apply to offences such as exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 kph, deliberately driving through a red light, driving under the influence and driving without a licence.
The offences will incur a fine of either 15,000 kuna (£1,835) ro 20,000 kuna (£2,445) – instead of 5,000 kuna (£610) or 10,000 kuna (£1,220).
In Lithuania, ‘clean’ drivers – those who have not broken any traffic laws in the last year – are being rewarded with gifts, as part of a series of road safety events.
Since September 2018, there have been 10 events, with more than 1,300 people participating. Currently, the title of ‘Clean driver’ has been awarded to 750 drivers.
By putting the gifted sticker of the initiative on their car, the drivers make a commitment not only to continue being responsible on the road but also to encourage other road users to behave in the same way.
Finally in Germany, concerns have been raised after statistics show a 3% rise in road fatalities during 2018.
A total of 3,275 people died in road collision in Germany in 2018, 95 more than the previous year, according to Germany’s Federal Statistics Office.
The figures follow two years of decline – while a further 396,000 people were injured.
Looking at longer term trends, the number of road deaths fell by 10.2% between 2010 and 2018. Road deaths reached a 60-year low in 2017.
What about motorcyclists? I’ve seen delivery riders holding their phone in one hand while riding their scooters down the street. Unbelievable!
Driving Memories, Borehamwood, Herts
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