Distraction Is a Leading Cause of Crashes

Taking your eyes off the road for even two seconds at highway speed means driving blind for tens of metres. Every Balkan country bans hand-held phone use while driving, and enforcement is increasing. The details — what counts as "use" and how large the fine is — vary from country to country.

What the Law Generally Covers

In most countries, it is illegal to hold a phone while driving — including at traffic lights or in stationary traffic, if the engine is running. This typically extends to texting, dialling, filming and scrolling. Hands-free use via Bluetooth or a mounted holder is usually permitted, but you can still be penalised if an officer judges you to be distracted.

Penalties Differ by Country

Fines for hand-held phone use range from modest on-the-spot penalties to significant amounts, and repeat offences can mean penalty points or a licence suspension. Some countries combine the fine with a short driving ban for serious or repeated distraction. Because amounts change, always assume the penalty is steep and simply avoid the phone entirely.

Beyond the Phone: Other Distractions

• Eating and drinking can count as careless driving if it affects your control.
• Adjusting navigation while moving is a common cause of drift — set it before you go.
• Reaching for objects takes your eyes and hands off the task; pull over instead.

How to Stay Focused and Legal

• Mount your phone where you can glance without touching it.
• Set your route, music and alerts before you start driving.
• Use voice commands rather than the screen.
• If you must call or text, stop somewhere safe first.

Let RoadRadar Do the Watching

One reason drivers pick up their phones is to check for cameras or hazards. RoadRadar removes that temptation: it delivers audible, hands-free alerts for speed cameras, checkpoints and road hazards, so you get the information you need without ever touching the screen. Set it once, mount it, and keep both hands on the wheel.