Don’t touch the phone! Last year 22 percent more fines

How addictive is a cell phone? Well, so addicting that you can’t stay away from it even in the car and on the bike. This is reflected in the huge increase in the number of fines imposed by the police over the past year.

In 2022, nearly 180,000 motorists and cyclists were fined for holding a mobile phone while driving. That is around 40,000 more fines than in the previous year, an increase of no less than 22 percent.

The actual number is even higher

According to the police, the actual number of fines for using the phone on the road is even higher. Because Boas are also allowed to impose fines. And these figures are not included in the police data.

Packing chance has become much bigger

Did people start using their phones a lot more in traffic last year? Maybe, but the sharp increase in the number of fines issued is largely due to the increased likelihood of being caught.

The police have been using so-called monocams since July 2021. These are high-level cameras that allow police to see if someone is looking at their phone while driving. Agents also check out coaches.

Since mid-2019, using the phone while cycling has been banned. The fine is 150 euros. Drivers who are caught hitting the road pay 380 euros.

Dozens of phone deaths every year

According to Veilig Verkeer Nederland, the use of smartphones on the road leads to dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries every year. If you read or write a message behind the wheel, you are 2.5 times more likely to have an accident.

Hands-free operation is also not safe

Incidentally, you can use a phone hands-free in the car if it is placed in a stand on the dashboard, for example. This does not make the application more secure. You will still be distracted by traffic.

The same is actually true for the touchscreens that almost all modern cars have. You usually have to take your eyes off the road for far too long to operate it.