Flanders to punish phone use behind the wheel with 15-day driving ban

From January 1st, drivers in Flanders will lose their driver’s licenses when caught using their cell phones while driving. The measure was already in force in some parts of Flanders – East and West Flanders, Limburg, and the Halle-Vilvoorde region – but it now applies throughout the Flemish part of the country.

“Given the many deaths and serious injuries in traffic due to distraction behind the wheel, we want to send a clear signal,” says Kristof Aerts, spokesperson for the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office.

Driving ban and fine

Violators may immediately hand in their driver’s license for two weeks and will receive an additional fine of 174 euros. Professional drivers, such as taxi or truck drivers, will also have to answer before the police court, where they risk a fine of up to 4,000 euros and a driving ban of up to five years. The stricter rules do not only apply to car drivers: anyone who rides a bicycle or motorbike can also be fined.

The Flemish Foundation for Traffic Science (Vlaamse Stichting Verkeerskunde, VSV) welcomes the stricter approach. “People realize that the distraction is life-threatening, and yet many continue to do it,” says Werner De Dobbeeleer, spokesperson for VSV.

In 2023, the police issued an average of 314 fines every day.