Increase in number of fines for mobile phone use behind the wheel

Last year, 121,324 drivers in Belgium received a fine for using their mobile phones behind the wheel, according to figures from the General National Database (GND) of the federal police. The figures, which interior minister Jan Jambon requested from MP Jef Van den Bergh, show that the number of fines for mobile phone use behind the wheel increased by 2,683 cases compared to the previous year, reports Gazet van Antwerpen.

Among those fined, the drivers of passenger vehicles made up the largest group (71,275), followed by the drivers of light trucks (26,284) and trucks (6,678). The police also handed out fines to 594 cyclists and 509 bus drivers for using a phone while driving, whether for texting or calling.

Minister Jambon is calling for even stricter controls, with routine standard checks of mobile phones after each accident and the use of dash cams in undercover police vehicles.