In part of Belgium, the police are taking more action against smartphone users behind the wheel. People who use a mobile device while driving now risk an immediate license withdrawal. This should ensure that the significant increase in the number of smartphone users behind the wheel is drastically reduced.
One in four uses a smartphone while driving
A European survey shows that one in four Belgian drivers uses his or her smartphone while driving. This will involve reading or sending messages. One in six drivers will still make a call, with their smartphone to their ear, behind the wheel. According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office East Flanders the use of mobile devices while driving, and the resulting accidents, has increased enormously. They want to do something about this with the new measures.
Revoke driving license
The Public Prosecution Service of East Flanders reports that eight percent of the fatalities in traffic are related to the use of the smartphone behind the wheel. According to a survey by Vias Institute, an independent knowledge institute that conducts research into mobility and road safety. It is estimated that this would mean that there would be about 4600 accidents per year, of which 50 were fatal.
For this reason, the Flemish Traffic Engineering Foundation launched a new and large-scale campaign to draw people’s attention to it no smartphone or other mobile devices while driving. The Public Prosecution Service East Flanders is also participating in this action and is therefore coming up with new guidelines and measures. It states the following: “Anyone who uses a mobile device while driving, without it being secured in a holder intended for that purpose, risks the immediate withdrawal of the driver’s license for the duration of eight days.” fines imposed on smartphone users behind the wheel.
When will the new measures take effect?
The new measures are already being applied. For example, according to an article in the daily newspaper The morning† It states that a 39-year-old man had to surrender his driver’s license after using a smartphone behind the wheel. In the Netherlands, smartphone users behind the wheel are currently being fined. For example, you will receive a fine of 350 euros for handheld calls in the car.
Do you use your smartphone while driving? Do you think the measures in Belgium are strict enough now? And do you think that you should also hand in your driver’s license in the Netherlands after using a smartphone behind the wheel? Let us know in the comments below this article.
– Thanks for information from Androidworld. Source