East Flanders (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – East Flanders offers the “Distraction Behind the Wheel” course for first-time mobile phone offenders. Deputy Public Prosecutor Cindy Renders leads it, with 5 courses held and 45 planned for 2026.
As VRT News reported, in East Flanders, Belgium, drivers caught using a mobile phone for the first time can take a course instead of paying a fine. The program, called
“Distraction Behind the Wheel,”
lasts 2 half-days and costs €235 per participant.
They mentioned that this is much lower than fines that can reach €4,000 and may include a driving ban from 8 days to 5 years. Drivers who complete the course fully will have their case dismissed and avoid a criminal record. Participation is voluntary, while those who do not attend will still face prosecution.
“It’s very confronting to see your reaction time almost triple,”
First Deputy Public Prosecutor Cindy Renders says.
“We noticed that the number of distracted driving violations remains high, despite all the prevention campaigns. A fine paid promptly, clearly doesn’t lead to a change in mentality and behaviour.”
What is the “Distraction Behind the Wheel” course in East Flanders?
The course is limited to small groups of no more than 12 people. Participants reflect on their mobile phone use and the risks of distraction while driving. They take part in practical exercises that show multitasking in traffic is impossible and dangerous. At the end, each driver makes a personal action plan to drive more safely.
Drivers who have already taken the course or have previous convictions for the same offence cannot participate again. Officials mentioned that the program gives new offenders a chance to change their behaviour, avoid high fines, and improve road safety.
Since the program started in the fall of 2025, 5 courses have already been held, and that number is expected to rise to 10 by the end of the year. Around 45 courses are planned for 2026, which could involve 400 to 500 participants. The impact on repeat offences will be measured later. Magistrates from Flemish Brabant and Antwerp have visited to observe the.
Flemish Minister of Mobility Annick De Ridder encourages other public prosecutors to follow suit:
“This way, we can intervene more quickly and effectively, reduce the risk of recurrence, and make our roads safer.”
In 2022, Antwerp launched a similar program for first-time traffic violators. Individuals caught for speeding or using their mobile phones while driving had the option of enrolling in a voluntary driver improvement training program, instead of paying a fine. The training focused on the risks of distracted driving, instilling safe road-user habits, and ways to shift unsafe or irresponsible behaviours. By the end of December 2023, hundreds of people had enrolled in the program.
