SLOVENIA: USE OF CELLPHONES PROHIBITED WHILE

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000042 SIPDIS STATE FOR OES/S NANCY CARTER-FOSTER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON SOCI SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA: USE OF CELLPHONES PROHIBITED WHILE DRIVING REF: STATE 6703 ¶1. (U) Post delivered ref A demarche on February 5 to Borut Valencic of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs North America Division. Valencic advised he would disseminate the information to the responsible Slovene ministries for response. Post will provide Department with an update as soon as we receive the GOS response. ¶2. (U) There were 262 road accident fatalities in Slovenia in 2006, the most recent year for which statistics are available. While the GOS does not track whether cellphone use is a cause behind these accidents, as it does for alcohol, Slovenia,s 101.3% market penetration of mobile telephony indicates that many individuals own or use more than one cell phone. (Note: As Slovenia releases statistics for road fatalities every three years, more current numbers will be available after September 2010. End Note.) ¶3. (U) The Law on Traffic Safety (AVCP-1-UPB4, Uradni List RS-133/2006, 18.12.2006) regulates the use of mobile telephonic equipment while driving. In article 72, paragraph 1, the law prohibits the use of any equipment that inhibits eyesight or interferes with hearing while driving, including masks, headphones and cellphones. The use of cell phones in Slovenia while driving is only permitted if a hands free device is installed. The penalty for driving while texting is the same as for not wearing a seat belt, 120 euros. Despite the fine, it is not uncommon to observe drivers talking on their cell phones while driving. FREDEN