New course is alternative to fines for mobile phone use behind the wheel

7 November 2025

People who are caught for the first time using a mobile phone while driving in East Flanders province can now opt for a course instead of a fine. The East Flanders public prosecutor's office and the Flemish Foundation for Traffic Knowledge (VSV) aim to make traffic offenders more aware of their behaviour on the road.

The new course confronts participants with the risks of distraction. They carry out practical exercises and discuss their own driving behaviour in small groups. “The course consists of two half-days of four hours each, during which people gain insight into their traffic behaviour when using a mobile phone behind the wheel, the risks this poses, and how they can avoid this in the future,” explained Werner De Dobbeleer of the VSV.

The course was introduced at the request of the East Flanders public prosecutor's office, which emphasises that distraction behind the wheel is still a major cause of serious traffic accidents. “Simply imposing fines or revoking driving licences is not always the right answer,” stated Cindy Reynders of the public prosecutor's office. “The course uses examples and stories to show the consequences of distraction. Initial evaluations show that it has an enlightening and confrontational effect.”

According to Reynders, recent traffic campaigns showed how widespread the problem is. “During the last campaign days, approximately 3,000 vehicles were checked, and one in five drivers was caught being distracted behind the wheel.” In 2024, 57,665 offences were recorded for mobile phone use while driving. A year earlier, in 2023, there were even 62,188 offences, according to figures from the federal police.

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Participants pay 235 euros for the course. Those who complete the programme avoid a criminal record and have their case dismissed. People who choose not to enrol risk a fine of up to 4,000 euros before the police court.

Flemish mobility minister Annick De Ridder encourages other public prosecutors to follow the example of East Flanders. Magistrates from Flemish Brabant and Antwerp have already come to see how the course works.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Illustration © PHOTO ARTERRA + Course for people caught using a mobile phone while driving © BELGA VIDEO JONAS D'HOLLANDER}

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