Mobile Phone Use While Driving: What Is Legal and What Triggers Fines
Traffic attorney Noa Ben Uri clarifies mobile phone laws while driving in Israel, detailing rules on fixed mounts, red lights, and police enforcement criteria.
Using a mobile phone while driving remains a pressing concern for many motorists, often raising questions about what is legally permitted and what could result in a traffic fine. In a recent interview shared on the Instagram page of traffic law attorney Noa Ben Uri, several common scenarios were addressed, shedding light on how law enforcement and legal precedents view these actions.
Traffic Lights and Fixed Mounts
One of the primary questions addressed was whether a driver is permitted to hold a mobile phone while stopped at a red traffic light. According to Ben Uri, the policy generally is not to enforce fines in such specific situations. However, the regulations differ significantly when it comes to a phone secured in a fixed dashboard mount. Legal precedent dictates that drivers are permitted to touch a device located within a fixed mount, including answering a phone call with a single touch while it remains secured.
Holding a mobile phone in your hand while driving is sufficient grounds for a fine, even if the motorist is neither speaking on the call nor sending a message.
Prohibited Actions and Evidence
Conversely, simply holding the device in one's hand while driving constitutes a violation, regardless of whether the driver is actively engaged in a call or typing a text. Furthermore, moving the phone from one location to another inside the vehicle while the car is in motion is strictly prohibited. Reading incoming messages—such as WhatsApp notifications—remains illegal even when the smartphone is safely secured in a fixed holder. Additionally, recording a video while driving can be classified as a phone-related infraction when combined with secondary offenses such as driving without due care.
Key enforcement points include:
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A police officer is not legally required to photograph a driver holding a phone for a fine to remain valid.
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Convictions can be secured based solely on the testimony of a law enforcement officer, without photographic or video evidence.
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The duration of holding the device is irrelevant; even a brief, few-second grasp—such as retrieving a dropped phone from the floor—can trigger a penalty.
