Germany’s federal government and state authorities are planning to make it possible to use specialized cameras nationwide to detect drivers handling mobile phones, according to a report by the Rheinische Post citing a statement from the Federal Ministry of Transport.
The ministry agrees with the states that modern monitoring technology could improve compliance with traffic rules and contribute to greater road safety. The proposed approach follows calls from the states for a uniform, technology-neutral legal basis, warning that different regional rules could otherwise emerge.
The systems, commonly known as phone-use cameras, are installed on motorway bridges and assess whether someone behind the wheel is using a mobile phone. They can identify features such as the dimensions, shape and colors of different phone models, as well as typical body positions associated with making a call while driving.
Rhineland-Palatinate is currently the only German state with a legal framework for the technology. It first tested the Monocam system in 2022 and has operated it on a permanent basis since April 2025. According to the ministry document cited by the newspaper, the state has had consistently positive experiences with the cameras.
Road-safety experts and organizations, including the German Road Safety Council and the police union, support the technology. The ADAC describes it as a useful addition to existing enforcement methods, while stressing that nationwide deployment would require a legally secure foundation.
Drivers caught using a phone while driving face a fine of 100 euros and one penalty point in Flensburg.
Sources: Der Spiegel.