“All police areas in the district are authorized to immediately revoke the driving license for a period of 8 days,” the Hal-Vilvoorde public prosecutor’s office said on Monday evening.
“In recent years, the use of mobile phones while driving has increased considerably,” said a spokeswoman for the prosecution. “A European survey has shown that one in four Belgian drivers reads or sends messages while driving, and that one in six does not use hands-free telephony while driving. A tenth of drivers indicate that they have already had, or almost had, an accident in this way. »
According to the Vias road safety institute, 8% of fatal accidents are linked to the use of mobile phones while driving, adds the spokesperson for the prosecution. “It is estimated that this would represent around 50 deaths and 4,500 injuries per year”.
“Drivers whose driving license would be immediately withdrawn will have to answer for it before the police courts of Vilvoorde and Halle in September”, added Carol Vercarre. “They risk a fine of 240 to 4,000 euros, and a license withdrawal from 8 days to 5 years. »