Vias: ‘One in four Belgians uses smartphone while driving’

According to a survey in eleven European countries, one out of four Belgian motorists (25%) regularly reads or sends messages on his smartphone while driving. The European average is 22%. And it’s getting worse. So it’s no surprise that one out of ten already had an accident caused by smartphone use at the wheel. Especially young drivers are often involved.

That is why Vias and Baloise Insurance decided to join forces and launch a sensitizing campaign featuring Olympic gymnast Nina Derwael. In the coming weeks, the new spot will be broadcast on radio and television.

Losing balance

The scenario of the spot is simple but clear. In the video, Nina gets a phone call while training at the asymmetric bars. She tries to answer the phone but loses her balance and falls on the mat. A situation by analogy with smartphone use at the wheel. The only difference? In traffic, there is no mat…

Distraction at the wheel increases the risk of an accident significantly. Earlier studies have already shown that the use of social media at the wheel can lead to more serious consequences than driving under the influence of alcohol.

Tip of the iceberg

According to extrapolations, traffic safety institute Vias estimates that smartphone use at the wheel leads to accidents in which 50 people get killed and 4 500 seriously injured in Belgium.

Last year, 107 686 car drivers were fined for smartphone use at the wheel, or almost 300 a day. The highest rate since 2016, but probably just the tip of the iceberg. Because the chance to get caught in 2020 was smaller than ever because of the health crisis and the lack of police controls.