Attention cyclists in Breda. The special investigating officers (boas) in this city are given an additional task. From Tuesday they will also monitor compliance with three specific traffic violations by cyclists.
The use of a telephone on a bicycle may now be inspected by these boas. Ignoring the traffic lights by cyclists and pedestrians will also be enforced. Furthermore, cycling without lighting or with the wrong lighting will also be penalized by boas.
Successful test in Utrecht
Breda is one of the five municipalities in our country where the powers of boas are being expanded. The Ministry of Justice and Security has decided this after a successful trial in Utrecht.
During the test period, boas handed out 4,400 fines to cyclists who were caught without a light, ignoring a red light and/or ringing a bell. The experiment lasted 25 weeks. During this period, more fines were handed out by boas than by the police in an entire year in 2018, 2019 and 2020. It also turned out that the enforcers ran a small risk of unpleasant reactions.
Breda happy with expansion
The test came after a motion that was passed by the House of Representatives in 2019. Breda was one of the twenty municipalities that wanted to continue this trial. Alderman Boaz Adank (Living Quality and Safety) is pleased with Breda’s participation in the trial.
“As stated in the administrative agreement, road safety in the city and core villages is our priority. This means that we make our streets and neighborhoods safer, among other things. However, it doesn’t stop there. Thanks to the participation of our enforcers in this pilot, we can actively increase road safety on the street. We work closely with the other four municipalities, the ministry and the police.”
The local boas are also happy with the expansion of their powers. ‘Towards a safer traffic in Breda’, they let us know via Instagram.