Over the past year, almost 3,600 driving licences have been revoked in West Flanders. The permits belonged to motorists who were using a mobile phone at the wheel of their vehicle. Since 1 June last year a stricter approach to drivers using their mobile phones while driving has been taken in West Flanders.
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10 driving licences per day withdrawn in West Flanders for mobile phone use behind the wheel
Colin Clapson
Published:
For a year now driving licences can be withdrawn immediately when people use their mobile phones while driving.
‘Initially, all offenders were summoned to appear before the police judge,’ says prosecutor Tom Janssens. ‘But that proved unfeasible given the high number of offences. Now people who use mobile phones behind the wheel are offered an out-of-court settlement of 245 euros.’
Only those caught on further offences, and who, for example, do not have a driving licence, are still referred to the police court. A total of over 1,400 cases were ordered.
Main cause of accidents
The courts are tough on mobile phone use behind the wheel because it is one of the main causes of road accidents. It leads to unpredictable driving behaviour: drivers do not maintain a constant speed, react more slowly and thus increase the risk of collisions and other accidents. Every year in Belgium, up to 50 people are killed and 4,500 injured because drivers are distracted.