Italian Pedestrians Risk €75 Fine for Using Gadgets When Crossing the Road

The Proposal

According to Рубрика — Суспільство: Italy is preparing to update its highway code with a provision that would see pedestrians fined for using phones or other electronic devices while crossing the street. The measure is being introduced because distracted walkers have increasingly been held partly responsible for road accidents. The minimum penalty would be €75, and the new rules are expected to be approved by mid-October. This push reflects a wider European focus on protecting vulnerable road users and reducing avoidable collisions.

How It Would Work

Under the planned system, a pedestrian would need to check that a driver has seen them and come to a stop before stepping onto the road. The ban covers smartphones, tablets, laptops, and digital cameras while crossing. It would also prohibit deliberately lingering on the carriageway and apply to anyone glancing at a screen or otherwise being distracted by a gadget. Emergency calls would still be allowed, and using earphones for conversation is acceptable as long as the person can still hear surrounding traffic.

At the same time, Italy is tightening penalties for motorists caught using phones behind the wheel. The maximum fine could rise to €2,588, with licenses suspended for anywhere from one to three months. Notably, Lithuania brought in similar rules back in 2018, underlining a global shift toward stricter road-safety measures.

The move highlights growing worries about road safety, since pedestrians absorbed in their devices can become causes of crashes. Violations in large cities especially threaten everyone on the road. Stronger punishments for both drivers and walkers may serve as a meaningful step toward fewer accidents and greater awareness of safe behavior.