Italy targets phone-distracted pedestrians in new highway code

Italy's updated highway code will target pedestrians who stare at their mobile phones while crossing the road, as the country's transport ministry strives to improve road safety by cracking down on distracted behaviour, the Guardian reported on Monday.

The draft code follows several court rulings that assigned blame for road accidents to careless pedestrians, according to the Guardian. The measure is part of a broader effort to reduce road deaths in Italy, where traffic accidents remain a persistent concern.

The proposal comes as Italy prepares for the September return of school traffic and the end of the summer holiday period, when roads see a surge in movement across the country.

The Guardian's report on Monday said the updated code would introduce fines for pedestrians who cross roads while using their phones, a practice that has become increasingly common in Italian cities. The transport ministry's initiative reflects a growing recognition that pedestrian distraction is a contributing factor in urban accidents, not just a matter of personal risk.

The move follows several court rulings in Italy that have assigned blame to pedestrians for accidents, a legal shift that has drawn attention to the responsibilities of those on foot as well as those behind the wheel. The Guardian noted that the ministry is seeking to update rules that have not kept pace with the ubiquity of smartphones.

For Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the change carries particular resonance in Trieste, where narrow, cobbled streets and tram lines create conditions in which distracted walking poses heightened risks. The region's border position, with commuters crossing daily from Slovenia, also means that any shift in Italian road rules will affect cross-border pedestrians who may be unfamiliar with local regulations.

The draft code is part of a wider review of Italy's highway rules that has already introduced stricter measures for drivers, including tougher penalties for using phones at the wheel. The Guardian reported that the pedestrian provisions are expected to be finalised later this year, with the transport ministry aiming to have the new code in force by 2027.

Road safety campaigners have welcomed the focus on pedestrians but have also cautioned that enforcement will be challenging, particularly in tourist-heavy areas where visitors may not be aware of the rules. The Guardian's report noted that the ministry has yet to specify the exact amount of the fines, which will be determined during the parliamentary review of the draft.