Keys point to remember
1. One in ten accidents resulting in injury are caused by using a mobile phone at the wheel.
2. Looking at your phone for just two seconds at 130 km/h is like travelling roughly 150 metres with your eyes closed.
3. Using a mobile phone while driving leads to a €250 fine, four penalty points, and can increase your liability in the event of an accident.
In Luxembourg, nearly one in ten accidents resulting in injury are linked to mobile phone use while driving (source: Téléphone – Sécurité Routière) . Behind this seemingly common practice lies one of the most dangerous driving behaviours. Whether it’s making a call, sending a message, or glancing at a notification, every second your eyes stray from the road drastically increases your risk of an accident. Even a brief lapse in attention can have devastating consequences.
Using a mobile phone behind the wheel: when statistics sound the alarm
In Luxembourg, using a mobile phone while driving remains a common offence despite numerous awareness campaigns. In 2025, during the “Eyes on the Road” operation, the Grand Ducal Police issued 579 fines in just two weeks (source: Distraction au volant : 579 avertissements taxés émis suite à l’utilisation du téléphone mobile au volant – News – Portail de la Police Grand-Ducale – Luxembourg). A few months later, nearly600 additional drivers were penalised during targeted inspections (source: Téléphone au volant: Pas loin de 600 conducteurs verbalisés au Luxembourg – RTL Infos).
These figures highlight a worrying reality: the mobile phone has become one of the main sources of driver distraction. Combining visual, auditory, manual, and cognitive distractions, it triples the likelihood of an accident during a call and makes a driver up to twenty-three times more likely to crash when reading or writing a message (source: Téléphone – Sécurité Routière).
Narrowed field of vision, slower reflexes
Looking at or handling a phone takes your eyes off the road and focuses your attention on a very limited area. Peripheral vision decreases, making itharder to notice pedestrians, cyclists or vehicles in your lateral field of vision. This loss of visual awareness goes hand in hand with slower reaction times. At 90 or 130 km/h, just a few seconds of not paying attention are enough to cover several dozen metres without visual control. In practical terms, looking at your phone for two seconds at130 km/h means travelling about 150 metres blind (source: Glossaire – Awareness-raising campaign ‘Keep your eyes on the road’ – Transports.lu – Luxembourg).
Penalties
In Luxembourg, using, holding, or handling a mobile device with a screen while driving is punishable by a €250 fine and the deduction of 4 points from your driving licence (source: Keep your eyes on the road – Transports.lu – Luxembourg). In the event of an accident, this offence can be considered an aggravating factor, affecting both liability and the financial consequences for the driver.
Smart habits to stay focused
The best way to prevent distractions is to plan ahead. Before setting off, first take the time to adjust your satnav, music, and phone settings.
Activating a “driving mode” or “do not disturb” function helps mute notifications and keep your attention fully on the road. During your journey, it’s best to keep your phone out of reach or to use it only for navigation purposes and when mounted on a holder. If you need to take a call or read an urgent message, the safest option is to pull over in a car park before continuing your trip.
Good to know: Prevent road risks with Foyer
Taking out car insurance suited to your needs, protects you in the event of the unexpected and supports a responsible driving approach. It cannot replace caution at the wheel, but provides an essential safety net when the financial consequences of an accident are serious.
Irrespective of how common it has become, using a phone while driving remains a major source of danger on Luxembourg’s roads. Choosing not to answer a call or read a message for a few minutes helps protect your safety, as well as that of your passengers and other road users. Combined with suitable car insurance, attentive and responsible driving remains your best protection against the unexpected.
Frequently asked questions about the dangers of using a mobile phone while driving
Is using a mobile phone while driving as dangerous as drink-driving?
Talking on the phone while driving impairs alertness, distance perception and reaction times, with effects comparable to those of high blood alcohol levels. In some cases, using a phone behind the wheel can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence.
Is hands-free phone use or GPS allowed while driving in Luxembourg?
Hands-free devices are permitted as long as the phone is not held in the hand and provided the controls are simple. For GPS use, the system must be set before departure and attached to a fixed holder. Any handling during the journey remains prohibited and punishable.
What happens if I have an accident while using my phone?
If you are involved in an accident in Luxembourg, using your phone at the wheel can be considered a liability factor in determining responsibility. From an insurance perspective, a simple fine for mobile phone use will not automatically affect your premium or cover. However, if this behaviour forms part of a pattern of repeated accidents or offences, insurers may view your profile as higher-risk.
