The use of social media on the bicycle is banned; it is dangerous if you use the phone on the bicycle even you wear the safety vest. Traffic minister Schultz van Hagen is working on a law to ban the mobile phone during the ride, she announces today. It is now just allowed to call in your hand while cycling or to read and send applets. However, drivers must continue to pay attention to traffic and may not cause dangerous situations. This is a difficult task for young cyclists in particular.

In 20 percent of the accidents with cyclists aged 12 to 24 years, the mobile phone seems to have played a role. In several countries, telephone use on the bicycle is therefore prohibited. At the end of May Minister Schultz also announced an investigation here, after a conversation with the father of a young victim. In recent years, attempts have been made to mainly influence the behavior of young people, for example through lessons at schools and prizes that youngsters could win if they temporarily did not use their mobile while cycling and wear a reflective vest. It all appeared to have insufficient effect on the target group.

Operate

Expert state is mainly the operation of a ‘touch screen’ during cycling that is the greatest risk. According to the minister, this means that it should not only prohibit the retention of the mobile phone, but also prevent it from operating in a holder on the steering wheel. Only next year will be clear when the ban can take effect and how high the fine will be. In the coming period, studies will be conducted into the consequences of social media use on the bicycle. The government wants to use this information to support a legal ban. Schultz: “Of course, a prohibition has the great advantage that it sets a clear standard.”

Traffic injured

Today, it also emerged that the number of serious road injuries in 2015 came to some 21,300 people. That is an increase of about 3 percent compared to a year earlier (20,700). Since 2007, there has been an increase in the number of serious road injuries.

The majority of the victims, especially cyclists and the elderly are at risk, falling on municipal and provincial roads. The minister gives that concern. “Road managers have to tackle problems on the basis of good analysis and ensure that road safety is improved.” According to Schultz, the figures show that intervention is urgently needed. “An increase in the number of road fatalities and injuries has to be broken.” That is why it is almost making a new strategic plan for road safety towards the year 2030, which should already be ready in 2018.