In the Belgian province of West Flanders, the police have been called upon to temporarily reduce the number of speed traps. According to the attorney-at-law of the King, this is temporarily necessary as a result of the corona crisis.
It is certainly a striking measure: the public prosecutor in West Flanders calls on the police in his province to give less priority to speed traps. The last news hears from the attorney, Filiep Jodts, that he is making this appeal to alleviate the workload. According to him, the police are currently too badly needed for other matters because of the corona crisis. Agents, who normally carry out mobile flash checks, can be deployed in other areas.
According to the attorney, part of the speed cameras must also be removed. They work automatically, of course, but there is also manpower involved in processing violations registered by the posts. That manpower is also currently decreasing, he explains. The pressure on the department involved would have been strong even before the corona crisis.
Jodts does make an important comment about the measures; this does not mean that West Flanders gives free rein to speed devils. Speed ​​cameras remain in operation. “The police themselves decide whether and which flash cameras are to be switched off. The citizen therefore does not know which poles work. That is important for road safety,” said the attorney.