The Netherlands is launching new flash camera against calling behind the wheel, and he can also serve Belgians heavily
In the Netherlands, now with focus flashes (right) is checked for calling behind the wheel.
In the Netherlands, after a long test period with focus flashholders, calling behind the wheel is now checked. A total of fifty are installed. The fine? 430 euros, also for Belgian drivers.
The so -called ‘focus flash’ is an improved version of the ‘Monocam’, a camera system that the Dutch police have been using for a number of years to detect bubbles behind the wheel.
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The first focus flash – who would work much faster and more accurate – is now in The Hague, and since this week it also caught and repaires drivers who calls behind the wheel. The device, which will work day and night, takes a picture of the windshield of a car from a few meters. After which smart software detects whether the driver has a device in his hand. An extraordinary investigating officer (BOA) then checks whether someone was actually calling, before the fine goes out the door.
The first focus flash is on the Ypenburg stationsweg in The Hague. – © ANP / ANP
Lots of interest
Those officials will probably get very busy soon. In the coming months, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service wants to place similar focus flashes in around forty places in the Netherlands, another ten next year. As a result, very strictly action is taken in the Netherlands against bubbles behind the wheel. And that also applies to foreign drivers who run into the lamp, for example Belgians. The fine in the Netherlands is 430 euros. In view of the collaborative agreements between the Dutch and Belgian Justice, you as a Belgian do not in principle fall.
The fine in the Netherlands is 430 euros. In view of agreements between the Dutch and Belgian Justice, you as a Belgian will not get there in principle
Our country follows the Dutch approach with great interest. With us, the De Wever government wants to check with smart cameras above the road for mobile use, according to the coalition agreement. Given the many accidents due to distraction behind the wheel. For tests with such camera systems in the Antwerp region – in collaboration with the VIAS Road Safety Institute – that yielded a fine every four minutes. The planning is to start calling behind the wheel by the beginning of 2027 with such checks. Our privacy legislation, among other things, still has to be adjusted.
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