Fines for Using a Phone While Driving in Israel Will Increase Severalfold

The Ministry of Transport, led by Miri Regev, is advancing strict new measures for traffic violations. According to the department’s plans, the financial penalty for using a smartphone while driving will increase fivefold, jumping from one thousand to five thousand shekels for the first serious offense. In repeat cases, the fine will hit 10,000 shekels, and serial offenders face court-ordered car confiscation.

The everyday habit of using a mobile phone is now officially equated with the most dangerous maneuvers that frequently cause severe accidents. The ministry has identified the “seven deadly sins” on the road: alongside running a red light, drunk driving, and overtaking across a solid line, holding a smartphone has been added to this list. An expedited processing procedure will be introduced for these violations, allowing for faster and stricter enforcement against drivers.

The reform fundamentally shifts the approach to safety on Israeli highways. The state is establishing a unified standard: digital distraction poses a direct threat to human life and therefore demands maximum accountability. Instead of standard warnings and minor points, drivers will face significant financial losses and the real deprivation of their means of transportation.

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