Smartphone use in traffic banned from 2019

If it is up to the cabinet, the official smartphone ban for cyclists will go into effect from July 2019. It has long been illegal for motorists to have a cell phone in their hand, call, text or app while driving. Starting in 2019, using a smartphone while cycling will also be banned.

There will be a total ban on smartphone use in traffic. Not only smartphones will be banned while cycling, but also laptops, music players and cameras will no longer be allowed to be used while cycling. In addition to these devices, the use of an Apple Watch, for example, will also be banned. The law does not talk about a ban of cell phones, but a ban of all mobile electrical devices.

Since 2002, it has already been illegal to use a cell phone in motorized vehicles such as cars, mopeds and motorcycles. Use while cycling was an exception, due to the slower speed.

With the rise of social media, cyclists are looking at their phones more often than ever. Twenty percent of accidents involving cyclists between the ages of 12 and 14 involve smartphones.
This makes the exception rule obsolete, according to Ministers Grapperhaus (Justice and Safety) and Van Nieuwenhuizen (Infrastructure and Water Management).

Therefore, starting July 1, 2019, this ban will also apply to cyclists, streetcar drivers and the disabled in vehicles without engines.

Insurer also against smartphone use on the go

For insurers, there is plenty of reason to want to stop the growing smartphone use in traffic. Regularly in claims, inattention is the underlying cause. This includes smartphone use. As an insurer, you have a responsibility to identify causes of accidents and damages and thus try to reduce them. This makes the ban on smartphone use in traffic an important step for insurers to reduce traffic accidents.

Possible higher premium due to smartphone use

If you make damage due to smartphone use in traffic, there are currently no consequences. This is because it is not monitored by insurers and the police are not always involved. If it turns out that mobile electric devices are being used regularly, it may have future consequences for the amount of the premium for car or bike insurance. However, this is not currently the case.

Thus, the ban for cyclists, streetcar drivers and the disabled in vehicles without engines will most likely go into effect from July 1, 2019.
Until then, you will not be prohibited from talking on your bicycle and listening to music. However, you must continue to pay attention to traffic. You must not cause dangerous situations for others.
To really reduce phone use on the road, sincere motivation will be necessary.

Through strict control and heavy fines, police are trying to curb the use of phones in traffic. Motorists do not sufficiently realize the risks. Don't put your life and the lives of other road users at risk and stay offline while participating in traffic.