Genk (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Dimitri De Condé, sports director of KRC Genk, was convicted of drunk driving (1.26 per mile) in Dec 2023 and faces a €4,000 fine and a 3-month ban.
Dimitri is the sports director, who was known for drunk driving convictions multiple times. In December 2023, police caught him during a routine check and found his blood-alcohol levels had reached 1.26 grams per litre, which exceeds more than four times the legal limit. Yesterday, he had appeared before the police judge again.
What are the legal consequences for De Conde’s drunk driving offence?
De Condé will also face heavy monetary penalties for what he has done. The court has imposed a fine of 4,000 euros, although 1,600 euros of that amount has been suspended. He will pay only if he again violates the law. The rest of the amount is 2,400 euros, which must be paid on the spot as an additional penalty. Along with a driving ban, an alcohol lock, and a requirement to retake his driving test, this fine underscores the court’s strict stance against drunk driving, especially for repeat offenders. The ruling aims not only to penalise De Condé but also to discourage him and others from endangering lives on the road.
The judge has added several penalties against De Condé to punish him and prevent the same offence from happening again in the future. He will be given a three-month driving ban; he cannot drive during this time. He has to install an alcohol lock in his vehicle for a year, which means he cannot start the car unless he proves himself sober. To further drive the point home about responsible driving, De Condé is also forced to retake his driving test, reminding him of the responsibility that comes with having a driver’s license.
Belgium has tough laws against drunk driving. For regular drivers, the blood alcohol limit is set at 0.5 g/l, while professional drivers have a lower limit of 0.2 g/l. Fines can vary from €104 to €16,000, depending on how high the blood alcohol concentration is, and drivers can face immediate bans for higher levels. Repeat offenders may be required to use alcohol interlocks in their vehicles and face longer bans. Recent changes have tightened these limits and increased penalties, showing a strong focus on road safety and discouraging repeat offences. It has been said that De Condé’s repeated lawbreaking shows a disregard for public safety and a failure to recognise the serious consequences of his actions. This case highlights the growing legal consequences as authorities work to tackle drunk driving in society.
