Following multiple accidents caused by members of the public using mobile phones while driving, police in the Kurdistan Region’s capital of Erbil have intensified an ongoing campaign to curb the practice.
Although there are laws on the books against drivers talking or texting on their phones, it takes only a few minutes on the road in Erbil to make it abundantly clear that such regulations have not been entirely successful.
In response, Erbil’s General Traffic Directorate has released several online and television public service announcements that describe not only the safety hazard it causes but also with a strong focus on the 40,000 dinars (a little under $35) fine anyone caught using their phone while driving will receive.