Sneak a peek at your phone while driving, and you could face a NIS 500 fine

Police hoping to stop drivers so much as sneaking a peek at their cellphones will introduce a fine of NIS 500 and six points on the license of motorists caught looking at their devices instead of the road.

Traffic cops have noticed that drivers, wishing not to be seen looking at their phones, have been putting the devices on the floor of their vehicles to keep them out of sight of police.

The NIS 500 ($143) fine and points are being introduced along with a campaign to crack down on the dangerous ploy, police said.

“Police take a very serious view of this offense, which endangers road users,” police said in a statement.

It is already illegal to use cellphones to speak (without a hands-free speaker) or text while driving. Under the new regulations, any driver found not looking at the road, even if no phone is found, could be be subject to a fine and points on their driver’s license.

Cops were instructed to note in their reports if the vehicles were moving or standing still and if the driver caused a disruption to traffic.