Distracted Italian pedestrians who cross road while on phone could be fined under new code

Updated draft highway code follows several court rulings assigning blame for road accidents to careless pedestrians

Italy's updated highway code will target pedestrians who stare at their mobile phones while crossing the road, as the country's transport ministry strives to improve road safety by cracking down on perilous distractions.

The offence, contained in a draft version of the highway code which is expected to be approved by mid-October, carries fines of 75 or more.