Belgium considers higher municipal fines and stricter camera enforcement

The Belgian federal government has approved a draft royal decree to increase certain municipal administrative sanctions (GAS fines). The measure aims to align municipal fines with higher immediate collection amounts for similar traffic violations following previous changes to criminal traffic penalties. Specifically, the proposal seeks to increase fixed amounts for the first category of violations from 58 to 64 euros, and for the second category from 116 to 128 euros. The proposal has been submitted to the Council of State for advice.

Separately, the Court of Cassation has ruled that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras can be used to identify multiple offenses from a single image. A driver caught speeding by an ANPR camera can also be cited for mobile phone use if the violation is visible in the same photograph. This ruling allows authorities to issue additional fines based on the same photographic evidence.