Holding Your Phone While Driving Will Get You Fined, Warns Mauritius MP

Mauritius parliamentarian Osman Mahomed has issued a stark warning to drivers across the island: if you are caught holding your mobile phone in your hand while behind the wheel, the police will fine you — no exceptions. In a statement reported by Le Defi Media, Mahomed made clear that the rule applies broadly. Simply holding your phone in your hand while driving is enough to attract a penalty from law enforcement, regardless of whether you are actively making a call or using an app. **What the law says** Under Mauritius road traffic legislation, using a handheld mobile device while driving is a traffic offence. The law is intended to reduce distracted driving, which remains one of the leading causes of road accidents on the island. Enforcement has historically been inconsistent, but Mahomed's comments signal that police are being urged to apply the rules more strictly. This warning comes at a moment of heightened scrutiny on road safety in Mauritius. Road traffic fines across a range of offences were recently increased, reflecting the government's stated intention to make penalties a stronger deterrent. **Who is Osman Mahomed?** Osman Mahomed is a Member of the Mauritius National Assembly and a prominent political figure known for speaking out on public safety, transport, and consumer rights issues. He regularly uses public platforms — including social media — to communicate directly with citizens in Mauritian Creole, making legal and regulatory information more accessible to the broader population. **What this means for drivers** If you drive in Mauritius, the message is simple: put your phone down. Hands-free systems — such as Bluetooth earpieces or phone mounts with voice control — remain a legal alternative, but holding the device in your hand, even while stopped at traffic lights, puts you at risk of being fined. Pedestrians and passengers are not affected by this specific rule, but drivers of all vehicle types — cars, motorcycles, vans and trucks — are covered. With traffic police increasing their presence on Mauritian roads and fines being actively revised upward, this is not a warning to take lightly. A single fine can now represent a significant financial penalty, and repeat offences may carry heavier consequences under the updated road traffic framework. Road safety advocates have long called for tougher enforcement of mobile phone rules, pointing to the high number of accidents caused by distracted driving each year. Mahomed's public statement appears designed to ensure that ordinary motorists — many of whom may not follow legislative updates — are clearly aware of their obligations before they are caught out. Source: Le Defi Media