AI-generated illustrative image · not a real photographNew law: In Italy, anyone who stares at their smartphone while crossing the street pays at least €75
Background & Context
Italy is planning new rules for distracted pedestrians as part of a broader overhaul of its traffic code. For now, however, this is only a draft, not law.
In early August, Italy’s Transport Ministry sent working papers to more than 100 associations and organizations for consultation; the final text has not yet been decided. Under the draft as publicly described, pedestrians could be fined €75 if they use smartphones or similar electronic devices while crossing or walking in the roadway.
The proposal would also apply at crosswalks. Phone calls using hands-free devices or earbuds would reportedly remain allowed, provided the person can still hear their surroundings sufficiently.
The restriction would not apply on regular sidewalks. Only after the legislative process is completed could this become an enforceable fine.
The headline therefore turns a proposed rule into an already valid “new law.”
Article Profile
Dramatization
Low
2/10
The article covers the topic largely soberly, without dramatic exaggeration.
Moralizing
Low
1/10
The presentation largely avoids moral judgments.
Sharpening
Low
3/10
The article is nuanced and avoids confrontational sharpening.
Objectivity
Low
3/10
The presentation is not very factual and strongly evaluative.
Review Transparency
We checked the current status of Italy’s traffic-code reform and the publicly described rules for pedestrians. Italy’s Transport Ministry confirms that the reform was still under consultation in August 2026.
Other reports likewise describe the smartphone provision as a draft that still needs to pass the legislative process. The proposed €75 fine is therefore documented as a planned measure, not as existing law.
The headline is additionally sharpened by the colloquial wording “stares at their smartphone.”
Impact Check
Does it affect you?
10% impact
Hardly any impact on German citizens, since the law is only planned in Italy.
Security risk?
5% impact
No security risk in Germany, since the law concerns Italy.
Historic?
75% impact
Similar measures against smartphone use in traffic have already been implemented in Honolulu.
Why is this article's headline most likely mostly true
The claim is mostly false: The Italian draft does foresee a €75 fine for pedestrians who use a smartphone or other electronic devices while crossing or walking in the roadway. However, this is not yet a new law in force.
The proposed traffic-code changes are still going through consultation and the legislative process. Therefore, no one is currently paying €75 under this new rule.
The headline presents a proposed provision as if it were already binding law.
This analysis is based on a journalistic report by stern.de. The rating and context were produced with AI assistance.
AI Transparency
This analysis was produced, structured and editorially reviewed with AI-assisted systems. The rating refers to the specific statement examined and is based on the sources cited. The cover image is an AI-generated symbolic image and is not a documentary photograph of the event described.
Methodology & AI Transparency