Distractions behind the wheel, particularly those caused by cell phone use, are the leading cause of road accidents. This alarming figure, reported by the Ivass supervisory agency and echoed in numerous newspaper articles these days, is directly linked to the rising cost of insurance policies, as shown by recent record figures for Abruzzo and the province of Rome.
In the second quarter of 2025, car and motorcycle insurance prices in the province of Rome increased by 5.6 percent year-on-year, pushing the average expense over 700 euros. Between 2023 and 2024, the high number of accidents in Rome contributed to an increase in the accident rate for the entire Lazio region.
Even more worrisome is the situation in Abruzzo, which recorded the highest increase nationwide, with an 11.6 percent increase in the average premium for auto liability insurance in the year ending August 2023. Although the average expense in Abruzzo remains below the national average, the pace of increase is significantly higher than in the rest of the country.
The increases are due to several factors, including inflation, which affects the cost of spare parts and labor for repairs. However, the main reason behind the increase in insurance premiums is the high frequency and cost of crashes, with cell phone distraction being the most frequent cause of collisions. The cost of rear-end collisions, in particular, weighs heavily on premiums.
What is allowed and what is prohibited by the Highway Code
To counter this phenomenon, the Italian Highway Code has introduced strict regulations for the use of electronic devices while driving.
It is strictly forbidden:
- use portable electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, notebooks, or tablets if this involves taking your hands away from the steering wheel, even if only temporarily;
- touching the phone to make calls, send messages, chat, use apps, or even just to reject a call; the ban also applies when stopped in traffic queues, at traffic lights or toll booths. “Walking” includes all normal driving maneuvers, not just movement;
- Use headphones to listen to music or anything else, unless they are devices with earphones that do not impede the perception of external noises.
It is allowed:
- Use the cell phone only with a hands-free system or earphones, as long as you do not have to use your hands for their operation and can adequately hear other ambient sounds;
- you can use voice commands, as long as you don’t have to touch the display;
- use of the phone as a navigator is allowed if the device is fixed on a cradle and does not require manual interaction while driving. If you need to change your destination, you must stop at a safe rest area.
Penalties for those who do not comply
Penalties for those who do not comply with the Highway Code have been tightened. For a first offense, penalties include:
- Fine: 250 to 1,000 euros.
- Point deduction: 5 points from license.
- License suspension: 15 days to 2 months.
In case of recidivism (another offense within two years) the penalties increase significantly:
- Fine: 350 to 1,400 euros.
- Point deduction: 10 points from license.
- License suspension: up to 3 months.
For everyone’s safety, the advice is always the same: leave your cell phone and distractions out of the car, for the sake of your wallet and, most importantly, your life and the lives of others.
