Leading Dayanim in Bnei Brak have issued a sharp and unusual psak warning that drivers who use their cellphones while driving are placing lives in danger — and ruling that action may ultimately be taken to have the licenses of dangerous drivers revoked.

The ruling, issued by the Bais Din Tzedek of Bnei Brak and signed by HaGaon HaRav Sariel Rosenberg and HaGaon HaRav Yehuda Silman, specifically addresses the growing phenomenon of private transportation drivers, commonly known in Israel’s Chareidi community as “drivers,” who use their phones to monitor WhatsApp groups, accept rides and communicate with customers while behind the wheel.

The Dayanim warn that dialing numbers, writing or reading messages, or otherwise becoming distracted by a cellphone while driving constitutes a serious danger to passengers and others on the road.

“The one who is lenient regarding road safety may stumble in the severe sin of actual bloodshed,” the psak states.

The Dayanim stressed that earning a parnassah cannot justify endangering others, and that every driver has an absolute obligation to follow traffic and safety regulations and remain fully focused while driving.

The psak goes even further regarding someone who witnesses dangerous driving. The Dayanim rule that a person who sees a driver — even a relative or acquaintance — repeatedly driving in a manner that endangers others must first warn the driver to stop.

If the driver refuses to change his behavior, the witness should consult a Rav regarding what steps may halachically be taken to bring about the revocation of the driver’s license and ensure that he is held accountable.

The Dayanim cite the fundamental obligation of “V’nishmartem Me’od L’nafshoseichem,” stressing that road safety involves matters of pikuach nefesh and must therefore be treated with the utmost seriousness.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)