In Leuven, capital of Flemish Brabant, police will carry out extra checks on mobile phone use at the wheel during the whole month of September. Leuven public prosecutors launch this initiative twice a year to combat the use of smartphones by drivers and cyclists.
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Extra checks on mobile phone use at the wheel: driving licences to be withdrawn for a fortnight
Colin Clapson
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During the last extra checks in March many drivers were caught with a mobile phone in the hand behind the wheel. ‘Police identified a total of 600 drivers flouting the law. Anyone who is caught will immediately forfeit their driving licence for 15 days,’ says Ellen Durie of the Leuven public prosecutor's office.
‘The police will also draw up an official report. The drivers will be summoned to appear in the police court afterwards. Cyclists, who flout the law, get off with a fine. 'But if the cyclist displays dangerous driving, the public prosecutor may decide to summon that person to appear in court'.
‘This is the 5th time we are carrying out extra checks for a whole month and taking strict action against people who flout the law. We want to focus on compliance, because it is common knowledge that using your mobile phone behind the wheel significantly increases the risk of accidents,’ Durie concludes.
A similar operation is planned in the Hageland district of eastern Flemish Brabant and western Limburg.