Road Safety Chief Calls for Better Controls on Mobile Phone Use While Driving in Luxembourg

The Luxembourg Road Safety Association (Sécurité Routière) supports tougher penalties for drivers caught using their mobile phones behind the wheel but stresses that more effective enforcement should come before harsher punishment.

The discussion follows a new public petition by Fabrice Mounier, which calls for immediate confiscation of the driver’s license and mobile phone of anyone caught using a device while driving.
Paul Hammelmann, president of the association, told Contacto that while he agrees stricter measures may be necessary, the real issue lies elsewhere.

“Our priority should be to control mobile phone use behind the wheel, not just to increase penalties. The current ones are already dissuasive, but people know very well that inspections are insufficient,” he said.

Under current Luxembourg law, drivers caught using a mobile phone face a €250 fine and a loss of four license points — penalties Hammelmann describes as “already quite severe.”

A Leading Cause of Serious Accidents
Despite the existing rules, Hammelmann agrees with those supporting the petition, saying that phone use while driving has become one of the leading causes of serious road accidents.

As for confiscating phones, he remains skeptical about its effectiveness:
“Taking away a gadget won’t solve much — two hours later, the person could just buy another one,” he noted.

Instead, he suggests that seizing the vehicle in extreme cases could have a greater impact, though he admits that such sanctions are legally complex.

Government Plans to Toughen Sanctions
Hammelmann also pointed out that the Luxembourg government is already considering stronger penalties, including revisions to suspended driving bans that are currently seen as too lenient.

Learning from Other Countries
According to Hammelmann, Luxembourg should draw inspiration from countries like Finland, where Helsinki recorded zero road deaths in 2024 — an achievement largely attributed to rigorous enforcement.
“Everything is strictly monitored there — alcohol use, speeding, and phone use,” he explained.
He also highlighted France’s use of automated radars that detect both speeding and mobile phone use, suggesting Luxembourg should adopt similar technology.

“Vision Zero” is Achievable
The Road Safety president remains optimistic about the future:
“It’s possible to have zero deaths on Luxembourg’s roads. We’ve long promoted ‘Vision Zero’, and while many said it was an illusion, Finland has proven it’s achievable.”

In summary, while Luxembourg’s Road Safety Association supports the spirit of the petition, it insists that stronger, automated enforcement tools — not just steeper fines — are the key to preventing accidents and saving lives.
Read More : Mobile phone at the wheel in Luxembourg. "People know very well that there is not enough enforcement" | Contact

Join the community of your own - #1 home-grown LuxExpats app
SignUp Free : luxembourgexpats.lu