I told you a few weeks ago that a new emergency ordinance that modifies the provisions of the Highway Code was adopted and completely prohibits the use of the phone behind the wheel, on a bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, etc. The emergency ordinance was adopted on August 12, and has been applied since October 12, so from that day simply holding the phone while driving attracts a higher fine than now.
The Romanian Police can impose much higher fines just for holding the phone in a moving vehicle, but theoretically also on a bicycle, motorcycle, or other type of vehicle. Until now, only talking on the phone while driving a vehicle was fined, but from October 12th, the simple act of holding a phone attracts a fine, or may even leave you without your driver's license, in certain situations.
Here's WHEN it is FORBIDDEN to use the phone while driving, on a bicycle, or on a motorcycle
The carnet can be retained by the policemen of the traffic brigades only in the situation where holding a phone in the hand while driving a vehicle is combined with the commission of another contravention of the Highway Code. Practically, if you have your phone in your hand and do not give priority, change lanes without signaling, exceed the legal speed, etc., it is possible to be left without a license, so the traffic code must be respected more strictly when driving.
The fine applied for holding the phone while driving is a maximum of 725 LEI and 4 penalty points, so a maximum of 308 LEI within 15 days of receiving the sanction for violating the provisions of the Highway Code. Those who do this in a vehicle for which a permit is not required will have to pay a fine of between 870 and 1.160 LEI, so higher, but this is also because they will not remain without a permit, even if they have one.
Practically, all those who travel on public roads will have the obligation to pay attention to the road and not to mobile phones, although it is not forbidden to mount a phone in a car holder and use the navigation on it, for example.
