Influencer Kobi Swissa Faces New Charges for Reckless Driving While Eating and Filming

Kobi Swissa, a popular social media influencer, is facing new legal trouble after being charged with reckless driving. This comes just a week after he was caught driving with a suspended license at Ben Gurion Airport. The latest charge stems from an incident about five months ago, when Swissa was filmed driving on an intercity road while eating a sandwich, holding cash and his phone, and filming himself without paying attention to the road. He later posted the video on TikTok.

According to the indictment filed at the Tel Aviv Traffic Court, Swissa violated traffic laws by driving carelessly. In the video, he asks his followers whether it is legal to eat while driving, offering a 2,000 shekel reward for answers, and references a new law imposing a 10,000 shekel fine for holding a phone while driving. Swissa’s trial is scheduled for October 19.

Swissa told Mako that although he was eating and had a phone, the phone was resting on a mount when filming, and he only held it briefly while eating. He admitted it was not advisable to eat while driving but claimed he was unaware it was illegal, noting that many people eat while driving. He also suggested that the charge of reckless driving was unfounded, arguing that the phone was the only issue and that the authorities misunderstood the situation. Swissa’s case highlights ongoing concerns about distracted driving and social media behavior behind the wheel in Israel.