Fewer traffic fines were handed out in 2020 than in the previous year, the Ministry of Justice and Security reports. This does not mean that road users behave more neatly; we were of course mainly less on the way last year.
In 2019, 8.4 million fines were issued, compared to 7.8 million in 2020. Most traffic fines were handed out for speeding. There were 6.4 million. The ministry attributes the decline in part to the government’s call to stay at home as much as possible because of the corona virus. As a result, there was on average less traffic on the road last year.
The number of fines for calling with a telephone in hand has increased considerably: from 121,364 in 2019 to 168,034 in 2020. The increase is mainly due to the ban on bicycles with a telephone in hand, which took effect in mid-2019, according to the ministry. Undoubtedly, the use of smart cameras that automatically register telephone use behind the wheel of a car is also playing a part in the increase. It was also announced at the beginning of this year that the number of fines for ignoring a red cross has risen sharply. With 4,920 fines, this was no less than 55 percent higher in 2020 than in 2019.
Some changes will be made to the traffic fines soon. For example, fines for very dangerous offenses such as texting behind the wheel go up. Left-hand drivers and people who hinder emergency services are also tackled more harshly. Speeding of up to 3 km / h is no longer fined. The fine for minor speed violations will also be reduced.