Mobile phone at the wheel: punishment in Germany & Austria

Recently updated on September 22, 2023 at 12:46 am

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The smartphone behind the wheel is a serious hazard for all road users. Therefore, in most countries there is a cell phone ban when driving with an associated penalty if none speakerphone is being used. Nevertheless, almost every one of us has picked up the phone while driving. If you get caught, you have to dig deep into your pocket in Germany. In some cases, driving may also be prohibited. In Austria, on the other hand, the law is interpreted somewhat more discreetly.

the legal situation in Germany

When it comes to using a cell phone while driving, there is a catalog of fines for different scenarios in Germany. In general, a driver who illegally used a cell phone while driving has to pay a fine of 100 euros and gets one point in Flensburg. If there was an additional risk, an additional 50 euros would be added, meaning a total fine of 150 euros. The driver then also receives two points and a driving ban for one month. The same applies to property damage, but you have to pay an additional 200 euros. The ban on using a cell phone while driving counts if a driver uses a telephone while the engine is running without the mentioned hands-free device. This means that in this case, not only making phone calls, but also writing/reading messages or surfing the Internet while driving is prohibited.

Engine off - smartphone on

If the engine is deactivated, you can use the smartphone to its full extent and, for example, pass the time at the German online casino and play one of the many games. Any use of the cell phone while driving or with the engine running can be punished, whether to reject a call or to check the time. Of course, it is permitted to use a smartphone as a navigation device as long as it is not picked up or operated while driving. Normally, all common smartphones can now be controlled using voice commands, meaning navigation can be started or stopped while driving without having to reach for the smartphone. P.S. The use of a Speed ​​camera APP it is best not to do so completely!

Law in Austria is (still) less strict

As in Germany, the use of the phone at the wheel, apart from making calls using a hands-free system, is also punished in Austria. Here, however, the law is significantly more gracious than in Germany: a so-called organ mandate of 50 euros is due. This is equivalent to the parking ticket in Germany. If the victim refuses to pay the penalty amount, this will be reported to the authority. In turn, this can impose a fine of up to 72 euros or, if it is not recoverable, a maximum of 24 hours. So in Austria it doesn't matter whether there is any danger or property damage from the mobile phone at the wheel. The fine here is also only half of the price in Germany without its special scenarios. Apart from the possibility of a one-day prison sentence if the payment is refused, there are no other forms of punishment in Austria than the fine. In Germany, on the other hand, points are even awarded and a driving ban may be imposed.

In addition, there are some differences in the interpretation of the cell phone ban in Austria compared to the German model. In Austria, for example, it is permitted to hold the cell phone in one hand, provided the posture for steering is not changed significantly and the gaze is not turned away from the traffic. Nevertheless, this means that the use for news, social media or surfing the Internet is prohibited. In addition, the cell phone must not be held to the ear or head, as this could give the impression that the driver is talking on the phone without a hands-free device. When using for navigation, it is mandatory to fix the cell phone and enter the destination before starting the journey or by voice control. Another difference is that in Austria the cell phone can be used as long as the car is stationary (for example at a red traffic light or in a traffic jam). So you can go to Online Casino Austria in a traffic jam and play one of the many games. In contrast to German law, the engine must be not be switched off.

Of course that had not been the case.

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