Germany may expand automated cameras that catch drivers using smartphones. Bundesverkehrsminister Steffen Bilger told dpa he will push for a nationwide legal basis to allow the so‑called "Handy‑Blitzer" (Monocam) outside the pilot state of Rhineland‑Palatinate — arguing the cameras can detect when a driver holds a phone and so help reduce distraction‑related crashes.
How Monocams work and what Rhineland‑Palatinate reports
The Monocam is a high‑resolution camera mounted on an overpass and aimed through a vehicle’s windscreen; AI‑supported image analysis flags a phone in the driver’s area combined with a matching hand posture, then trained officers review the image before a citation is issued. This technical description is used by ADAC and the public authorities explaining the system.
Rhineland‑Palatinate began testing Monocams in 2022 and moved to regular operation about 18 months ago. The state says all five police presidia now have systems in use and that to the end of October 2026 roughly 1,400 motorists in the state were caught and fined this year; the interior ministry reports most ordinary cases carry a typical penalty of €100 and one point. The land paid about €200,000 to acquire the equipment.
What this means for the market
For drivers in Germany and Austria the immediate effect would be stricter, more automated enforcement of the existing ban on handheld phone use while driving — fines for simple handheld use are normally €100 and carry one point in Flensburg, rising when a device causes an accident.
