The short version
- The updated draft legislation proposes fines starting at €75 for pedestrians who use mobile phones or other electronic devices while crossing streets.
- The measure responds to recent court rulings that held pedestrians liable for accidents caused by distraction, aiming to ensure drivers have adequate reaction time.
- While the ban targets active device usage during road crossings, it permits hands-free calls and emergency use, and excludes walking on sidewalks.
Italy is moving toward stricter regulations regarding pedestrian behavior on public roads, with a newly drafted highway code that introduces financial penalties for individuals who distract themselves with mobile devices while crossing streets. The transport ministry has outlined these changes as part of a broader effort to enhance road safety and reduce the frequency of accidents involving distracted walkers. The proposed legislation targets a specific hazard: pedestrians who fail to notice approaching vehicles because their attention is fixed on screens.
Under the current draft, which is anticipated to receive formal approval by mid-October, offenders could face fines of €75 or more. The scope of the prohibition extends beyond smartphones to include laptops, tablets, and digital cameras. This expansion suggests a comprehensive approach to eliminating visual distractions that might prevent a pedestrian from reacting to traffic conditions. The rules are designed to address scenarios where a driver lacks sufficient time to brake because a pedestrian is not paying attention to their surroundings.
The impetus for this regulatory shift stems from a series of recent judicial decisions in Italy. Courts have increasingly assigned blame to pedestrians in road accidents when evidence showed they were careless or distracted at the moment of impact. These rulings have highlighted a gap in previous regulations, which focused heavily on driver responsibility while offering limited guidance on pedestrian conduct. The new code seeks to codify expectations for walker vigilance, aligning legal standards with these emerging judicial trends.
Despite the strictures, the draft includes several exemptions to accommodate practical needs and safety concerns. Pedestrians are permitted to engage in hands-free conversations while crossing roads, recognizing that auditory communication does not necessarily impair situational awareness. Additionally, individuals may use their phones in emergency situations, ensuring that critical communications are not hindered by the law. The wearing of earphones is also allowed, provided the user can hear adequately with both ears, maintaining an ability to detect traffic sounds.
The regulations specifically apply to the act of crossing a road and do not extend to pedestrians walking along pavements or sidewalks. This distinction clarifies that the concern is primarily about interaction with vehicular traffic rather than general public behavior. Furthermore, the code stipulates that before stepping into a roadway, pedestrians must verify that approaching drivers have seen them and intend to stop. This requirement places an active duty on walkers to confirm right-of-way rather than assuming it.
Another provision addresses the manner in which pedestrians traverse intersections. The draft states that individuals must not hesitate or dither while attempting to reach the other side of the street. This clause aims to prevent unpredictable movements that could confuse drivers and increase collision risks. By mandating decisive movement, the regulation seeks to create a more predictable environment for both motorists and walkers, reducing ambiguity in shared spaces.
Italy joins a growing list of jurisdictions addressing distracted walking through legislation. Lithuania implemented similar fines in 2018, targeting pedestrians who use mobile phones or engage in other distracting activities while crossing roads. Earlier still, Honolulu became the first city to enforce such rules in 2017, followed by Yamato City in Japan in 2020. These international precedents provide a framework for Italy’s approach, suggesting a global trend toward holding pedestrians accountable for their attention levels in traffic environments.
The updated highway code also includes provisions for drivers, with significantly tougher penalties for those caught using mobile phones while operating vehicles. Repeat offenders could face fines up to €2,588 and license suspensions lasting one to three months. Initially, the draft had included restrictions for drivers aged 85 and above, limiting their driving range to 100 kilometers from home and banning them from motorways. However, following public backlash, the transport ministry confirmed that these age-related measures were removed from the draft at the request of Transport Minister Matteo Salvini.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗Distracted Italian pedestrians who cross road while on phone could be fined under new code
