25 drivers a day caught on cell phones behind the wheel

It is striking that the number of violations increased by ten percent in 2022 compared to the previous year. While the national figures are just falling. Franky Demon, Federal Representative: “It is somewhat strange because last year the fines for mobile phones behind the wheel were also increased from 116 to 174 euros. Last year it was also clearly written into the legislation that it is absolutely not allowed.”

Zero tolerance

Most violations are found in the police zones of Bruges, Arro Ieper and Vlas, in the Kortrijk region. But in the Grensleie police zone, around Menen, Ledegem and Wevelgem, it is rising most sharply, no less than 65% more in one year. There’s a good reason for that. Stefaan Vannieuwenhuyse, Grensleie Police Zone: “We are very committed to road safety. One of the topics that has been added, in addition to the seat belt, alcohol and drugs and speed in traffic, is mobile phone use. “In our normal operation, but also in our traffic service. There is also zero tolerance. We really want to get rid of the fact that people steer with their mobile phone in hand. That creates insecurity and we cannot live with that.”

According to Demon, there must be a change of mentality, as is already partly possible with alcohol behind the wheel. “I also think, for example, the weekend without alcohol, that we also have to keep repeating the 48 hours of mobile phones behind the wheel, that this is checked throughout Belgium, that awareness is raised, that there is attention for it in the press. I don’t think it helps to have higher fines for that.”