Now the fine can be higher

Motorists in Rogaland are among the worst in the country in terms of using a mobile phone behind the wheel.

The South West Police District has only been hit by the Eastern Norway Police District in issuing the most fines for illegal mobile phone use in cars. 1720 Rogaland drivers had to pay up to 5,000 crowns in 2021 for illegality. The fine has been reduced by 223 for the year 2020.

A total of 13,624 Norwegians were fined in Norway last year. This is a decrease of 3,500 from 2020.

Why exactly Rogalanders are at the top of Norway in illegal mobile phone use, Traffic Coordinator Ron Svensen in the Southwest Police District cannot give an answer.

– I don’t think we prioritize this crime differently from other police districts. When we do inspections, we take in a lot of people. Suggesting that illegal mobile phone use is widespread, says Svensen.

Young people are the worst

Similar to driving under the influence, drivers between the ages of 25 and 34 are the worst off when it comes to mobile phone use. These accounted for 3,738 cases in Norway last year. They follow closely between the ages of 35 and 44.

In 2021, these two groups accounted for 7,244 simplified fines. That is, they represented 53 percent of all those taken for mobile phone use.

5,000 kroner is a notable amount for most people, and the three points on a driver’s license will probably hurt too, when you smoke the note at eight points.

However, the large increase in fine volume in the past year has had very small effects on use, says Svensen.

The fine will increase again

Therefore, it is proposed to increase the size of the fine to 7,450 NOK during the year. The proposal is now for consultation.

In the case of illegal mobile phone use, the motorist is believed to have operated a hand-held mobile phone while driving. This means all uses of a phone that is not positioned correctly or has not been connected to a handsfree system.