Rising energy and food costs are hitting many in the pocket, resulting in many households struggling to pay their bills. In such cases, a traffic fine can be a nail in the coffin which is why Belgium is allowing people to pay them off in instalments.
An increasing number of people are encountering payment difficulties when issued a traffic fine; Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne acknowledges that this is down to rapidly rising energy prices, inflation and declining purchasing power.
"Having to pay a traffic fine is never pleasant, of course. But when many families have to contend with rising energy prices, it is even more painful when a traffic fine arrives in the mail."
Additionally, those who miss the payment deadline risk incurring additional costs. Van Quickenborne stressed that it is often not only the traffic offender but by extension the whole family that is affected by this.
Related News
- 2022 speeding offences already exceed those for whole of 2021
- 34 cyclists fined every day in Belgium
Paying criminal fines for offences such as shoplifting in instalments was already possible, but this option is now being extended to ordinary traffic fines, which are usually smaller.
The payment can be spread over a maximum of six months and people are free to decide what day of the month they will pay the instalments. The repayment plans are free of interest but can't be initiated if the offence has evolved into an order to pay.
Effective sanctioning
On a European level, Belgium performs badly when it comes to traffic offences and road traffic accidents. An increasing number of deaths occurred as a result of such accidents this year, resulting in the government cracking down more heavily on violations such as drink-driving and speeding.
However, more checks also mean that more fines need to be paid and processed. Van Quickenborne stressed that an effective sanctioning policy for traffic offences is necessary for this reason.
Aside from allowing people to submit an application for an instalment plan via the justice ministry's website, the already existing system of repayment plans for amicable settlements for minor crimes (such as prohibited possession of weapons or shoplifting) will also be digitised. Currently, an application still has to be submitted in writing.
