Belgium’s federal traffic police and local police officers from the various police zones will on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 February be carrying out extra checks to ensure that drivers are keeping their focus on the road, the police announced on Sunday.
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Extra police checks in traffic on Tuesday and Wednesday, ‘distracted drivers’ the focus
Colin Clapson
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The operation will involve 900 traffic police officers across the country, as well as colleagues from 105 local police forces. At mobile and fixed checkpoints, mobile phone use behind the wheel will be scrutinised and if need be, fines will be meted out. But drivers reading a book, applying make-up, watching a film or eating a sandwich behind the wheel also risk a fine.
Such targeted checks on ‘distractions behind the wheel’ take place twice a year. Mobile phone use behind the wheel remains one of the main causes of traffic accidents, according to the police. Anyone caught can expect a fine of 174 euros plus administrative costs. It can also lead to an immediate 15-day driving ban.