Legal issues and disagreement among politicians mean that a network of smart cameras to catch motorists that are using their mobile phones while driving won’t be rolled out just yet. A report in Wednesday’s edition of the daily ‘Het Nieuwsblad’ says that the idea of using smart cameras to catch motorists using their mobiles while driving has been shelved altogether.
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Smart cameras to catch motorists using their phone while driving won’t be introduced just yet
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A test using smart cameras that was carried out by the road safety institute Vias on the Antwerp Orbital Motorwy during rush hour found that in the space of one hour as many as 14 drivers on each lane of the motorway were using their (none-hands-free) mobile phone while driving. None of those caught have yet been issued with fines though.
Last year, the Federal Transport Minister Georges Gilkinet (Francophone green) announced a pilot project using smart cameras in 5 local police areas. However, it now seems that the pilot project won’t take place during the current legislature as there is no consensus on the issue among the collision partners. When VRT News contacted Mr Gilkinet’s office we were told that "Additional legal checks and the agreement of the Justice and Interior Ministries are needed” before the pilot project can get underway.
However, the Justice Department is no longer keen on the idea. The Federal Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne (Flemish liberal) says that he has "ideological, legal, technical and financial issues concerning the scheme".
The road safety institute Vias also confirms that there is currently no longer a pilot project in the pipeline. "It's a shame that this is not being taken further. Especially given that mobile phone use is one of the biggest distracting factors when driving."
According to the recent estimates, mobile phone use behind the wheel causes 50 road deaths and more than 4,500 injuries in Belgium every year.