Munich  - Most European countries have imposed hefty penalties for the use of mobile phones in the car with fines of between 100 and 160 euros (160 and 255 dollars), according to Germany's motoring association ADAC.

Some 30 European countries have either doubled or sharply increased the fines for using a mobile while behind the wheel.

Fines in countries such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Hungary were the highest. Britain has also doubled the fine to 75 euros.

Sweden and Serbia are two of the few countries with no specific ban on mobile phone use in the car, but both countries have hefty penalties for drivers involved in an accident or found responsible for negligent driving, the ADAC said.

In Germany, the fine is 40 euros but motorists are registered with one point in a central data bank that monitors serious traffic offences. (dpa)