European cell phone, texting roundup

Europe’s bottom line: Most EU member nations have banned cell phone use while driving motor vehicles, although some countries provide exceptions for mobile phones with hands-free devices. When in Europe, assume cell phone use is prohibited for drivers.

Serbia: (Aug. 16, 2009) The Law on Safety in Traffic goes into effect Dec. 10, 2009. The Serbian ban on cell phone use while driving brings fines of €60. Punishments of up to €250 and some jail time (five to 10 days) may be imposed if an accident is in the equation, according to the web site Balkan Insight. As many as 20 percent of accidents in the country involve cell phone us, police say.