The costs for traffic violations in the Netherlands have increased again.
Since last Saturday, motorists have been paying more for a wide range of violations, ranging from running a red light to parking incorrectly in a disabled parking space. One of the most notable fines is for holding a phone while driving, which will increase from 420 to 430 euros. This remains one of the most expensive traffic fines in the Netherlands, a measure intended to reduce distraction in traffic and limit the number of accidents caused by phone use.
Other common violations have also become more expensive. For example, driving through a red light now costs 310 euros instead of 300 euros. Unnecessary driving on the left, an annoyance for many road users, is now fined 280 euros, instead of 270 euros. Not wearing a seat belt increases to 190 euros, a measure that continues to underline the importance of safety in the car.
Those who do not give way to traffic from the right can also expect a higher fine: this now costs 310 euros. It is also notable that fines for standing on the hard shoulder without necessity and transporting young children without a child seat have also been increased by ten euros, to 310 and 280 euros respectively.
Parking illegally in a disabled parking space is one of the highest fines on the list. Where the violation previously cost 490 euros, illegal parkers will now pay 500 euros. This is to prevent people from wrongly using parking spaces intended for disabled people.
In addition to these fixed fines, the rates for speeding violations will also increase. The amount of these fines depends on the location and the extent of the violation. Within built-up areas, driving 4 km/h too fast now costs 36 euros, an increase of one euro. Outside built-up areas, this fine will increase to 32 euros and on the motorway to 27 euros.
Anyone driving 10 km/h too fast will now pay 93 euros instead of 90 euros within built-up areas. Outside built-up areas, this fine will increase to 87 euros, while speeding drivers on the motorway will pay 81 euros, two euros more than before.
All amounts are exclusive of administration costs, which are standard 9 euros. This means that the final bill for traffic offenders will be slightly higher.
The increases follow an annual indexation, whereby traffic fines are adjusted to inflation and social developments. The government hopes that the higher fines will promote road safety and make road users more aware of their driving behaviour.
