Israelis to be banned from texting whilst driving

Link: Bill bans SMS messaging while driving – Haaretz – Israel News

Several bills have been raised in the Knesset lately that address a national scourge: traffic accidents. One would ban drivers from sending SMS text messages from their cellphones while at the wheel.

Ophir Pines-Paz of Labor, the mind behind the bill, suggests an NIS 250 fine for violators. He says that young drivers are especially prone to messaging while driving, and that the habit is causing accidents and endangering life.

Incidently NIS 250 is about £32. Not exactly much of a deterrent in my opinion, but good to see the Israeli Government realise that texting whilst driving is as much as a serious problem as making or receiving calls whilst behind the wheel.