Brussels (Brussels Morning newspaper) – Since June 2024, 2,087 drivers in West Flanders have been caught using phones, highlighting the urgent need for road safety reforms.
Seven months after new rules were introduced in West Flanders to prevent drivers from using their phones while driving, 2,087 drivers have been caught breaking the law, averaging about 10 each day. Filiep Jodts from the West Flanders Public Prosecutor’s Office said there hasn’t been a major change in how drivers think about phone use while driving.
What measures are needed to combat distracted driving in West Flanders?
Although the numbers suggest that the stricter measures are having some effect, he believes more time and consistent enforcement are necessary to truly change driver behaviour. The ongoing number of violations shows the need for strong actions against distracted driving.
The numbers related to the crackdown on using phones while driving are concerning. Around 50 people die, and 4,500 get injured annually in distracted driving-related accidents. Jodts emphasised that efforts to reduce accidents and fatalities caused by distracted driving should be made a priority. While the current number of violations indicates that strict rules are necessary, authorities hope these efforts will raise awareness and promote safer driving habits over time. The main goal should be to change how drivers behave to reduce the toll of distracted driving.
What impact have new phone use regulations had on driving safety in West Flanders?
In June 2024, the public prosecutor’s office in West Flanders issued restrictions to combat growing cases of mobile phone use while driving. New measures toward reducing distraction-related accidents, among the leading causes of accidents on roads, involve heavy fines against offenders. Using the cell phone will have the driver’s license confiscated immediately for 15 days and a fine him almost €250.
These are drivers who keep using their phones to communicate while driving or cause serious accidents. They will be taken to the police court and can receive harsher punishment, such as more extended driving bans, larger fines, or compulsory courses on road safety. These are measures implemented fully toward the reduction of traffic accidents and, therefore safety on the roads. Studies have shown that the use of a phone while driving, whether for calling, texting, or social media browsing, increases the risk of accidents. The new regulations encourage more responsible and aware drivers.
