Italy’s updated highway code will fine pedestrians who use mobile phones while crossing roads, aiming to improve road safety.
An updated draft of Italy’s highway code aims to penalize pedestrians who use mobile phones while crossing roads, with fines of €75 or more. The measure comes after court rulings that have held careless pedestrians responsible for road accidents. The draft, expected to be approved by mid-October, also bans the use of other electronic devices such as laptops and tablets while crossing. However, pedestrians may use their phones for hands-free conversations or in emergencies. The code requires pedestrians to ensure that approaching drivers have seen them and intend to stop before crossing the road. It also prohibits hesitation once a pedestrian has started to cross.
The new rules do not apply to pedestrians walking on pavements. Similar measures have been implemented in other regions, including Lithuania, Japan’s Yamato City, and Honolulu in the United States. The updated highway code also includes stricter penalties for drivers who use mobile phones while operating a vehicle, with fines of up to €2,588 for repeat offenders and potential licence suspensions. However, a controversial proposal to restrict drivers over 85 years old has been removed from the draft following public backlash and the intervention of transport minister Matteo Salvini.
Why it matters
The updated code aims to reduce road accidents by holding distracted pedestrians accountable for their actions.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
Watch for approval of the draft highway code by the transport ministry in the coming weeks.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.