News Motorcyclist caught in the act... smartphone in HIS hands!

In mid-August 2024, near Rousínov in the Czech Republic, a motorcyclist was stopped by the freeway police for a singular, to say the least, but no less perilous offence: he was handling his smartphone with both hands while speeding along on his BMW GS Adventure. Yes, you read that right: both hands were occupied by his phone, leaving the handlebars completely abandoned. What a guy!

Well, not only is this a risky practice, it also shows a total disregard for road safety rules. The penalty was swift: a fine ranging from 2,500 to 3,500 Czech crowns (or up to 139 euros). And that's not all: an administrative procedure could increase the bill to 10,000 crowns (around 400 euros), with the added bonus of 4 points taken off his driving license.

Telephone use at the wheel: a scourge that also affects two-wheelers?

In the same video capturing the biker's arrest, another driver, phone to her ear, seems completely indifferent to the presence of the police. Yet it is the image of the motorcyclist that rightly shocks. This incident has once again rekindled the debate on the use of cell phones while driving, a major problem which causes many accidents every year.

In France, using a mobile phone while driving is also a serious offence. The law strictly prohibits the use of mobile phones while driving, on pain of a fine of 135 euros and the loss of 3 points on the driving license. In addition, the use of earphones or headphones is prohibited.

The figures are clear: using a phone while driving triples the risk of an accident.

A costly addiction

The social pressure to be always connected, combined with the illusion of being able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, drives drivers to take reckless risks. Psychologists point to a growing dependence on digital connection, exacerbated by the constant need to stay in touch. Until recently, motorcyclists seemed relatively unaffected by this trend. It's not uncommon to see a phone clipped to the handlebars for GPS, but very few take the foolish risk of using their smartphone while riding. So what went through the mind of this Czech motorcyclist to sacrifice control of his machine for his phone? A mystery.

Let's hope that this case filmed by the Czech police remains an exception and serves as a reminder to all road users: no message, no notification is worth the price of a life. Technology can wait, but the road does not forgive distractions.