Because so many Europeans own cell phones, European nations have taken the lead in passing laws restricting the use of cell phones in motor vehicles. Nearly all European Union member states and several non-EU countries have banned the use of handheld cell phones in a moving motor vehicle, and several prohibit use of handheld phones while a vehicle's engine is running.
Travelers should be aware that some European countries, such as Italy, require on-the-spot payment of fines for motor vehicle offenses. At the time of this writing, the average fine for a cell phone violation is 68 Euros, but fines are considerably higher in some countries.
European Countries Banning Handheld Cell Phone Use While Driving
- Andorra
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
Sources:
Abea Ltd. "Car Rental in Ukraine." Accessed: September 28, 2010. http://www.go2kiev.com/view/driving.html
The Automobile Association Limited. "Driving Requirements by Country." Accessed: September 27, 2010. http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/countrybycountry.html
Brenck, Andreas; Carsten, Oliver; Eklser, Vojtek; Jamson, Samantha; and Janitzek, Timmo. "Study on the Regulatory Situation in the Member States Regarding Brought-in (i.e. Nomadic) Devices and Their Use in Vehicles: Final Report." Accessed: September 26, 2010. http://www.etsc.eu/documents/Report_Nomadic_Devices.pdf
BUG Travel Publishing Ltd. "Driving in Hungary." Accessed: September 28, 2010. http://www.bugeurope.com/transport/drivehu.html
Foreign and Commonwealth Office. "Travel and Living Abroad." Accessed: September 27, 2010. http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-living-abroad/
Just Landed. http://www.justlanded.com Accessed: September 27, 2010.
The Moscow Times Online. "News in Brief." April 2, 2001. Accessed: September 28, 2010. http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/news-in-brief/254268.html
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration. Trucker's Guide to Driving in Norway 2008/09. Accessed: September 27, 2010. http://www.vegvesen.no/_attachment/71419/binary/38454
