Wearing a burka or mask while driving is to be banned in Germany, according to a legislative draft by the Minister of Transportation, Alexander Dobrindt, a report said on Friday.

The government said that accordingly, violations of the law would attract a fine of $67.

The measure has been justified with the rapid increase in the application of automated technologies by authorities to record traffic offences.

Covering all or significant parts of a driver’s face poses a potential obstacle to such law enforcement measures.

The planned legislation forms part of a wider initiative by the Federal Ministry of Transportation led by Dobrindt to punish individuals who consciously engage in distracting activities while driving.

It said that the usage of cell phones or tablets while driving would also attract such fine.

A survey by the German digital association, “Bitkom”, recently revealed that 44 per cent of Germans answer their phones and 51 per cent read text and short messages while driving.

(Xinhua/NAN)