Flanders Imposes €174 Fine and 15-Day Driving Ban for Mobile Phone Use

Brussels (Eurotoday): Starting January 1, 2024, Flanders will enforce strict mobile phone rules for all drivers, including a €174 fine and a 15-day license suspension for violations. Mobility Minister Georges Gilkinet emphasizes uniform penalties to enhance road safety.

Starting January 1, drivers in Flanders will face stricter rules for using mobile phones while driving. This applies to everyone, including car, motorcycle, and truck drivers, as well as riders of fast electric bikes. It is not allowed to hold or use a phone while driving, even if the vehicle is stopped at a traffic light. The authorities want to make sure that the same penalties are given to everyone across Flanders to keep the rules fair and consistent.

What are the new penalties for using smartphones while driving in Flanders?

It has been said that using a smartphone while driving will come with serious consequences. Drivers caught using their phones will lose their license for 15 days and face an immediate fine of 174 euros. This rule is being adopted in Antwerp to match similar laws in other areas of Flanders, all aimed at improving road safety. Authorities want to ensure that everyone understands the risks of distracted driving by enforcing the same penalties across the region.

The new rules are being introduced because phone distractions cause around 50 deaths and 4,500 injuries each year in Flanders. Officials see this as a serious issue and are committed to reducing these risks. By implementing stricter penalties for using phones while driving, the government aims to discourage this dangerous behavior and enhance road safety for all.