Everyone knows that you can make hands-free calls while driving with your iPhone, but what else are you allowed to do and what is absolutely not allowed?
With your iPhone behind the wheel
From research by SWOV (Institute for Road Safety Research) no less than 75 percent of all motorists use a phone in traffic at some point. This is partly the reason that hundreds of traffic victims are distracted every year. Therefore, the best thing you can do is not use your iPhone at all while driving.
In addition to the risk of accidents due to distraction, there is also the risk of fines. If you cycle with an iPhone in your hand, you risk €160,- excluding administration costs. For motorists who use an iPhone, the fine is €420, and for mopeds, scooters or disabled vehicles with a motor, it is €290,- excluding administration costs.
If you need to use your iPhone while driving, it’s important to know what you can and can’t do.
This is not allowed while driving
When driving, you are not allowed to hold a mobile electronic device that can be used for communication or information processing. Think of an iPhone, iPad, navigation system or music player, and basically anything that looks like this. It does not matter what you use the device for. Holding your iPhone between your ear and shoulder is also considered holding and is therefore also punishable. The law states:
It is prohibited for the driver of a vehicle to hold a mobile electronic device that can be used for communication or information processing while driving.
When you are standing still with your car
If you are stationary with your car, for example at a traffic light or in a traffic jam, you are allowed to hold and use your iPhone behind the wheel. After all, you are not driving. That changes as soon as you start moving again. If you are still holding your iPhone, you can immediately get a fine again. Even if you are only moving slowly in a traffic jam.
Please note that other countries may have different rules. For example, in Germany you may hold your iPhone while driving, but you may not use it. If your car is stationary, you may not use your iPhone either. This is only permitted when the engine is completely switched off. An automatic start/stop system does not count.
This is what you can do with your iPhone behind the wheel
You may operate your iPhone hands-free while driving. Your iPhone must be in a holder and you must have arranged this before driving. In that case, you can navigate, listen to music or call hands-free. After all, there is no question of ‘holding’, but of hands-free use.
By the way, you can still get a fine if you endanger traffic. If your iPhone is in a holder, but you are, for example, texting, gaming or watching a film, then you are still violating the law Article 5 of the Road Traffic Act:
It is prohibited for anyone to behave in such a way that danger is caused or may be caused on the road or that traffic on the road is hindered or may be hindered.
So only use your iPhone behind the wheel if it is in a holder. Place the iPhone in the holder and open the app you want to use before you set off. If you do not want to be disturbed by notifications from other apps while driving, configure the focus ‘Driving’ in advance.
Download the iPhoned app
