High fuel prices are an unequivocal explanation for the phenomenon, Het Nieuwsblad and Het Belang van Limburg report on Monday. Last year, 1,807 drivers were fined in Belgium for “running red”, i.e. filling the tank of their vehicle with heating oil. Of the 27,950 checks, this made 6.5% of offenders. In 2020, with the onset of the pandemic, fewer checks took place and therefore fewer fraudsters were caught. “In 2021, there was a substantial increase, also in comparison with the pre-pandemic years”, confirms the spokesman of the SPF Finances, Francis Adyns.
In the first months of this year, the increase is all the more notable as diesel now costs more than 2 euros per litre. Fraudulent motorists who are caught refueling with the wrong fuel are liable to a fine of 500 euros.