Drivers Caught Using Phones, Driving on Shoulder Face Fines

Traffic police in Israel have recently intensified enforcement against dangerous driving behaviors, including mobile phone use and driving on the shoulder. During an operation on Highway 4, plainclothes officers from the National Traffic Police identified several drivers committing life-threatening offenses.

One female driver stopped for using her phone and driving on the shoulder claimed she was "late to take the dog out." She admitted to calling home while driving and was fined 1,000 shekels and received 10 penalty points. Another driver was so engrossed in his mobile phone that officers had to call out to him multiple times before he noticed them. He was also fined for phone use while driving.

A third driver was apprehended for driving on the shoulder to bypass a traffic jam. An officer sternly warned him that such choices endanger lives and that a moment of convenience could cost someone their life. Police emphasized that driving on the shoulder is strictly for emergencies like vehicle malfunctions, accident avoidance, or urgent medical issues.

The police statement highlighted the severe risk of collision when vehicles are stopped on the shoulder near a travel lane, noting that a slight swerve by a passing vehicle could be fatal. Furthermore, the shoulder often serves as a clear route for emergency vehicles, and obstructing it can delay life-saving responses. This increased enforcement is part of a joint national initiative called "Committed to Life" aimed at reducing road fatalities, which includes deploying additional traffic patrols and focusing on distracted driving and dangerous driving offenses.