127 Drivers Inspected, 9 Drug Violations Found in Zeebrugge Operation

Zeebrugge (Eurotoday): A safety operation in Zeebrugge involved police and tax authorities. It stopped 127 drivers. 9 were found under the influence of drugs, and €10,500 in tax were collected.

A safety operation was conducted at the end of last week in Zeebrugge to address traffic problems caused by heavy traffic. This area has a lot of port activity, with many trucks, which creates risks for other drivers. There are also neighborhoods and school zones where people walking and riding bikes are vulnerable. 

What findings emerged from the Zeebrugge traffic operation?

During a traffic safety operation in Zeebrugge, 127 drivers were stopped for checks, which led to several important findings. Nine drivers were found to be under the influence of drugs, nearly one in 10 drivers checked. Two individuals were caught driving after drinking alcohol. They had to give up their driving licenses for six hours.

Authorities also issued about 15 reports for different legal problems. These included issues like not meeting vehicle safety standards, missing or invalid blank”>inspection and insurance papers, and using mobile phones while driving.

The National Employment Office (RVA) joined the operation by checking 20 vehicles for labor law compliance. This led to 6 cases being investigated for possible issues with undeclared work. To ensure tax payments were made, smart cameras were set up to check if road taxes were paid by the vehicles that went by. 

The cameras scanned 2,530 vehicles, and over €10,500 in unpaid taxes were collected during the operation. Authorities mentioned that the results show that the action was thorough, covering traffic safety, tax rules, and labor laws. This helped improve public safety and ensured that laws were being followed in Zeebrugge.

What agencies collaborated in the Zeebrugge safety operation?

The operation involved many different agencies working together. These included the federal police and local police from Blankenberge and Damme/Knokke-Heist. The Flemish Tax Authorities and the National Employment Office were also part of the team. The Immigration Office, customs, and the public prosecutor’s office in West Flanders also joined. 

Each agency contributed its skills to handle various issues. The operation’s goal was to reduce accidents and improve safety for everyone on the road. It focused on spotting unsafe driving habits and enforcing traffic rules. The operation also aimed to protect vulnerable groups, such as children and residents, from the busy traffic.