Rabbinical Court Rules Against Drivers Using Phones While Driving

A groundbreaking ruling by the rabbinical court in Bnei Brak has declared that "drivers" (hired car drivers) who use mobile phones while operating their vehicles are endangering lives. The court, comprising prominent rabbis, stated that anyone witnessing such dangerous behavior has a duty to warn the driver, and if the driver persists, to take steps to have their license revoked.

The ruling, signed by Rabbi Sheriel Rosenberg and Rabbi Yehuda Silman, labels the practice of drivers engaging with their phones while driving as a severe halachic (Jewish law) red line. The court acknowledged that drivers often feel pressured by competitive market conditions and WhatsApp groups to stay connected, but emphasized that no financial gain or livelihood justification can permit risking human lives.

"One who is lenient regarding road safety may stumble into the grave sin of bloodshed," the ruling states, specifically addressing drivers who text, dial, or read messages, thereby diverting their attention from the road. The court stressed that a driver's livelihood should not come at the expense of passengers' lives and called for the ruling to be disseminated for the public's benefit and to save lives.

The court further elaborated that road safety is a fundamental commandment, "You shall guard yourselves exceedingly for your lives." It asserted that drivers have a complete obligation to act responsibly, adhere to traffic and safety regulations, and that deviating from these rules puts them in a precarious position. The ruling referenced historical rabbinic opinions suggesting that many drivers today would be disqualified due to insufficient caution.

This ruling comes amid increased attention to the "drivers" phenomenon. Recently, tax authorities arrested a suspect in Beit Shemesh for operating an illegal taxi service, and police have conducted operations against unlicensed paid transport services. Additionally, a proposed law, dubbed the "Uber Law," aimed at regulating the private transport market, has stalled due to disputes over compensation for traditional taxi drivers.