Using mobile phones and headphones for pedestrians in BiH soon punishable

The House of Peoples of the BiH Parliamentary Assembly yesterday unanimously adopted, in the first reading, the Bill on Amendments to the Law on the Fundamentals of Road Traffic Safety in BiH, which was prepared by the Ministry of Communications and Transport of BiH.

Thus, the new legal solution foresees fines from 100 to 300 KM for using a mobile phone while driving and for not using a seatbelt. Currently, not wearing a seatbelt is fined at only 30 KM. The amendments to the law also provide for a ban on the use of mobile phones and headphones in both ears for pedestrians moving on the road or crossing the roadway.

Furthermore, fines from 400 to 1,000 KM are foreseen for speeding. Drivers who refuse a breathalyzer test or have over 1.5 per mille of alcohol in their blood will also be fined between 400 KM and 1,000 KM.

Fines from 400 KM to 1,000 KM are foreseen for drivers driving a defective car, as well as for those transporting a child under 12 years of age in the front seat.

For young drivers with less than two years of driving experience, it is proposed to reintroduce a driving ban from midnight to five in the morning, except for drivers who have an employment contract. A young driver who receives four penalty points will have their license revoked and must retake the driving test.

Drivers who have permanent residence in BiH will no longer be able to drive vehicles registered abroad.

For cyclists, with the adoption of this proposal, the use of protective helmets will not be mandatory. An analysis of the problems that arose during the application of such a provision led to the conclusion that such a provision has a disincentive effect on the extent of bicycle use as a means of transport in the city/settlement.

By amending Article 236, a stricter sanction is prescribed for a driver who, when starting from a standstill, suddenly increases speed in a way that causes excessive noise and squealing.

Also, considering the function of the implemented "daytime" running lights on vehicles as a more economical alternative to "low beam" lights, the proposed change in the new law is reflected in the possibility of using "daytime" running lights instead of "low beam" lights.

The Ministry of Communications and Transport of BiH expects that these amendments, upon coming into force, will significantly contribute to raising general traffic culture to a much higher level than is currently the case, and positively influence the reduction of harmful consequences of traffic, primarily by reducing the number of casualties in traffic accidents on the roads in Bosnia and Herzegovina.