Who hasn’t checked the smartphone in the car when a message rings? But if you actually use your cell phone, you should be aware that handling a cell phone in your hand is insanely dangerous – and it costs much more than the often assumed 100 francs for calling with the cell phone on your ear. And: the driver’s license is gone much faster than you think.
Because handling the smartphone is even more distracting than making calls without a hands-free system, it is shown. Depending on the canton and the situation, you should expect a fine of 300 to 400 francs or more, with fees quickly making 500 to 700 francs – in the best case. But it can also be over CHF 1000! In addition, there is often a ticket withdrawal of one to three months.
Even imprisonment is imminent
An accident does not have to happen – the abstract hazard is sufficient. So: what could have happened and what did you accept? If you are in a stop-and-go traffic jam, it can only be a minor offense: expensive, but no withdrawal. But flowing traffic, high speed or a tricky situation in the curve or with passers-by around the car can be enough for a month on foot.
If you look at your cell phone for a long time or even lose track of it, you face three months of withdrawal and a mostly conditional prison sentence. Bad repute due to older violations? Then it can be two years – depending on the case.
Hands must be free
Drivers must be in control of the vehicle and pay their attention to the traffic. You can look at the air conditioning for a moment to operate or you can smoke your cigarette on the go. Examine a sheet of paper with directions for a few seconds, enter a destination in the GPS or simply don’t read cell phone messages. Driving with one hand is allowed. But only if the other person does what is absolutely necessary (e.g. changing gear) and then immediately goes back to the steering wheel. By the way: In the event of a crash due to inattentiveness, the car insurance company may claim reimbursement.
How the case is classified is decided on a case-by-case basis – depending on the situation, weather, traffic, how distracted one was and what dangers one should have expected to which one would then not have been able to react.
Hands-free calling can cost
It is also often underestimated that the cell phone on the ear does not always cost “only” 100 francs, and even a legal call with a hands-free system can be as expensive as the cell phone in hand. Anyone who allows themselves to be distracted from the conversation and virtually forgets to drive (e.g. confused driving) can receive a reprimand with the consequences described above.