As of: February 22, 2024, 6:01 p.m
By: Romina Kunze
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Using a cell phone while driving is dangerous.
In an educational video, the Italian government warns young drivers in particular about this.
She overlooks an important detail.
Munich - More than 7,000 traffic accidents due to distraction in Germany, which ended fatally for around 100 people in 2022, underline: cell phones have no place behind the wheel.
But despite all the figures from transport authorities, the reality is different in many cases.
A short message here, a search on Google Maps there: for many drivers, using cell phones while driving is common practice.
In the future, Italy not only wants to impose hefty fines of up to almost 1,700 euros, but also raise awareness of the risks.
However, a first attempt went badly wrong.
Short videos on social networks are intended to make Italy's roads safer
Under the motto “Make the only right decision”, the Ministry of Transport distributed a series of short videos on X (formerly Twitter) that are intended to provide information about the respective dangers.
Also in view of the comparatively high number of traffic deaths in the country.
According to the Agenzia Nova news agency, there were 3,159 in 2022 - an increase of almost ten percent compared to the previous year.
But the ministry made an embarrassing faux pas with the clip about cell phone use while driving.
The video shows a group of young women in a car, apparently on the way to a party.
The mood seems relaxed when the passenger opens a video message on her cell phone and holds it out to the group.
Then the screen of the educational video splits into two scenarios.
In the first, the driver looks at her friend's screen, and shortly afterwards they collide with another vehicle.
In the second scenario, she waves away and keeps her eyes on the road.
The accident is avoided.
“Make the only right decision.
Because it’s about your life and that of others,” writes Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who is responsible for transport, about the clip.
His intention becomes even clearer: the “intolerable massacre on Italy’s streets” must be put to an end.
How serious he is is demonstrated by a tightening of the rules, after which the rag could be gone for decades.
“Excuse me, Mr. Transport Minister”: Only spectators point out the embarrassing mistake
Apparently neither Salvini nor his Ministry of Transport, the carabinieri and the people behind the campaign - all of whom were involved in it - noticed a crucial point: with the exception of the driver, none of the women were wearing seatbelts.
This hint only comes from viewers in the comment column.
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“Excuse me, Honorable Mr. Salvini, but has the seatbelt requirement been abolished?
Otherwise, the campaign video should be revised again,” writes the chairman of an Italian health foundation.
As in most countries, wearing a seat belt is mandatory in Italy.
A 2021 study by the Austrian Road Safety Board shows that people who are not wearing a seat belt are ten times more likely to die in a traffic accident.
And is the driver distracted by her friend's cell phone?
Italy wants to promote more road safety with videos like this.
The attempt backfires embarrassingly.
(Screenshot) © Screenshot/X
At the request of the AFP news agency, the Italian Ministry of Transport admitted a “possible error” in the educational video.
And sheepishly adds that the primary aim is to draw attention to the three main causes of young travellers.
According to the X article, the educational video should be adapted accordingly.
Italy is getting serious – and is drastically increasing road traffic fines
Anyone caught without a seatbelt in Italy will be fined at least 85 euros,
bussgeldkatalog.org
informs .
In Germany it is 30 euros.
Cell phone use in Italy is currently punished with 165 to 660 euros.
According to the ADAC, Salvini wants to generally increase penalties in Italy in the future.
This also applies to speeding and drunk driving - the other two causes that are addressed in the campaign.
Both can be expensive: at least 545 euros are due if there is more alcohol than the permitted limit of 0.5 per mille or if you are traveling at 50 km/h faster than the permitted limit.
Holidaymakers in Italy should familiarize themselves with the applicable rules in advance so as not to fall into the cost trap.
(rku)