Belgian pilot project will fine drivers using mobile phones

Next year, a new pilot project will use smart cameras to find Belgian drivers using mobile phones. A similar pilot project launched three years ago. Unlike then, caught drivers will be fined, according to the Mediahuis newspapers.

The new agreement between the national traffic institute Vias and the Belgian government will finalise on Friday. Afterwards, cooperating police zones will be chosen. The new project will be rolled out in five municipalities: one in Brussels, two in Flanders and two in Wallonia.

As with the pilot project on the Antwerp R1 in 2020, the aim is to catch mobile phone drivers with smart cameras. But those drivers never received a fine in the mail. Using mobile phones behind the wheel is punishable, but using smart cameras to detect it is illegal. Through the loophole of a pilot project, it is now possible. An officer will check the images from the cameras and determine the offence.

(TOM)

^{© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}