The drivers will be penalized harsher if they use mobile phones or other communication devices while  driving. To increase the security level in traffic, the provisions will also be applied to drivers of animal-drawn vehicles and to bicyclists. The hands-free devices and the calls to the emergency services will be an exception. Such changes to the legislation were approved by the Cabinet on June 5, IPN reports.

Under the bill, the punishment will be a fine of up to 600 lei and three penalty points. If the use of mobile phones or other similar devices generate a situation of accident, the fine will be 1,250 to 2,000 and the driver will be banned from driving for a period of six months to a year.

The penalties imposed in the case of particular offenses will also be made harsher. This way, the stationing or parking in banned places will be punished with a fine of 400 to 1,500 lei and four penalty points. The same penalty will be imposed for not giving way to pedestrians or bicyclists. The current penalty is a fine of 250 to 500 lei and two penalty points.

The bill to amend and supplement the legislation is to be examined and adopted by Parliament.