Immediate fine for overseas drivers under the influence of drink or drugs
Overseas motorists found to be driving on Belgian roads under the influence of alcohol or drugs will have to pay a fine on the spot from 1 January, Het Nieuwsblad reports. Drivers who fail to do so will have their car impounded.
Police will be able to demand that the driver immediately pay a 1,260 euro deposit against the amount of a fine to be decided by the police judge. Currently, fines accrued by foreign drivers in Belgium often go unpaid.
In practice, 1,260 euros is the minimum fine, including court and other costs, for first-time offenders, the federal public prosecutor’s office says.
If the charge is dropped, the amount will be refunded, the office of Justice minister Paul Van Tigchelt told the newspaper. The vehicles of those who cannot or will not pay will be held by the police for 96 hours.
If payment has not been made after that time, the public prosecutor can order the confiscation of the vehicles. Drivers who wish to reclaim their vehicle at that point will also incur towing and storage costs.
Every day in Belgium, an average of 10 overseas drivers are caught drinking and driving and three are caught driving under the influence of drugs, according to figures obtained by Van Tigchelt. This accounts for some 10 million euros in fines each year, but many of them are never paid.
BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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