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Belgians collected record number of traffic fines in 2013
The Belgian police last year wrote up about 4.8 million fines for traffic violations, a record high and an increase of 4% on the previous year. "The number of serious infringements went up significantly, the types of violations that put other drivers at risk," said CD&V traffic specialist Jef Van den Bergh who requested the figures, report Mediahuis newspapers.
The most common traffic violation in 2013 was speeding, with police last year handing out a total of 3.1 million fines to drivers for exceeding the speed limit, an increase of 6% on 2012. After speeding, the most violations were illegal parking and talking on the phone or texting while driving.
Two infringements in particular stood out in 2013: not wearing a seatbelt or failing to properly buckle up children, with 99,683 violations (+16%), and driving while intoxicated, with 3,342 violations (+31%).
Comments
There has been a noticeable slowing of traffic on the motorways since I first went to Belgium, but when it comes to seatbelts, not strapping kids in to the car and drinking and driving, Belgium remains a blast from the past.
The police are only interested in making money so they can keep their job.
The Belgian police should be out their catching criminals and the legal system should be updated without loopholes.
CCTV installation all over the country would greatly increase the revenues and keep the police doing "their job" and not writing down license plates on a piece of paper -- How about CCTV on Avenue General Jacques at the intersections where there is a left hand turn signal -- not a day goes by when I see cars "jump the light", "race through the light", "zigzag from the left turn into a right turn", and more. Even the taxis do it. I think fines should be higher for taxis as they are the worst offendors. After 3 traffic fines, taxis should lose their license for a year.