Italy to fine pedestrians using electronic devices while crossing streets

The Italian Ministry of Transport has proposed significant revisions to the national Highway Code aimed at curbing traffic accidents caused by pedestrian distraction. Under the new regulations, expected to be approved by mid-October 2026, pedestrians will be prohibited from using smartphones, tablets, laptops, and cameras while crossing the street. Violators will face fines starting at 75 euros.

The measure follows a series of recent Italian court rulings that have increasingly assigned liability to pedestrians for accidents caused by their own inattentiveness. While the use of devices is restricted during crossings, the law will continue to allow hands-free phone calls and phone use during emergencies. Furthermore, the use of headphones is permitted provided that the pedestrian can hear clearly from both ears. These restrictions apply only to street crossings and do not extend to pedestrians walking on sidewalks.

This legislative initiative is part of a broader government effort to enhance road safety and minimize situations where drivers are unable to react in time to distracted pedestrians. Following the expected approval in October, authorities intend to enforce these rules to reduce the prevalence of road fatalities and injuries linked to mobile device usage.