Israel�s High Court of Justice has ruled that in addition to it being illegal to driver to be using a cellular phone without a hands-free device, one may not hold a cellphone in one�s hand while driving either, even if a call is not in progress.

The court heard a case regarding a Jerusalem driver who was fined 1,500 shekels and his license was revoked because he was holding his phone. The driver maintained he was stopped at a red light as well. He worked his way through the lower courts, and finally the High Court, all backing the original decision against the motorist.

Regarding the driver�s claim he was stopped at a traffic signal, the court opted to believe the version of police, that the car was indeed in motion.

According to the law, a driver must hold the steering wheel of a vehicle with two hands while in motion.

(YWN Israel Desk � Jerusalem)