"Cheap refueling in Belgium can become an expensive joke due to traffic fines at the pump"
Dutch people in the border region have discovered that refueling in Flanders can be between up to 50 euros cheaper than in their own country because the Belgian government has lowered excise duties to reduce fuel costs for Belgians. As a result, it is extremely busy at gas stations just across the border in Belgium. Since Saturday, the Belgian government has implemented an excise tax reduction of 17,5 cents per liter of fuel, which has widened the price difference between the Netherlands and Belgium.
Danger
Yet there is another danger lurking when you refuel because if you do not follow the traffic rules you can just get a hefty fine. The mayor of Kinrooi in Limburg, just across the Weert border, says that extra checks will be carried out in his municipality. †Road safety at and around the petrol station must be guaranteed. If not, the police will consistently report.", says mayor Jo Brouns on Facebook† Queuing in a traffic jam to the gas station and meanwhile waiting on the bike paths is not an option and you can just get a voucher of EUR 125. in some border municipalities.
nuisance
The police therefore actively monitors and regulates traffic nuisance in the border region caused by tank tourism. In the meantime, the gas station operators were also called on to deploy more staff to prevent nuisance for the local residents. Local road safety is seriously disrupted and dangerous situations can arise due to the crowds at gas stations. Also, exits of residents are constantly blocked by cars of drivers who go to refuel.
