German Transport Minister Steffen Bilger wants to make so-called “phone speed cameras” available nationwide. The systems, known as Monocams, can detect drivers holding and using a mobile phone while driving. They are currently in use in Rhineland-Palatinate, where Bilger says they have delivered good results.
Bilger told dpa that the technology could help enforce the rules more consistently and improve road safety. He cited more than 1,000 crashes a year involving drivers distracted by electronic devices such as mobile phones.
A nationwide rollout would require a change to the Road Traffic Act, Bilger said. He added that he would support a common solution at the request of Germany’s states. A paper discussed at the Conference of Transport Ministers said the federal transport ministry was open to examining whether such a legal basis should be created.
According to the ADAC motoring association, a Monocam is mounted on a motorway bridge and takes high-resolution images through a vehicle’s windscreen. The system checks for a mobile phone in the driver’s area and a corresponding hand position. If both are detected, it takes a photograph, which trained police officers then review.
Using a phone at the wheel can result in a €100 fine and one point on the driver’s record, the ADAC says. If the offence endangers others or causes a crash, the fine rises to €150 or €200, respectively, with two points and a one-month driving ban. Phone calls are permitted through hands-free equipment, a built-in vehicle system or a Bluetooth headset; holding a phone or putting it to the ear while driving is prohibited.
Sources: Tagesschau.