For vacations, personal or even professional reasons, we may sometimes have to travel to our European neighbors with our own vehicle. We often say to ourselves that not being registered in the country allows us to take some liberties with the rules and the highway code. And above all, in the event of a problem, avoid fines and other such problems.
More or less true…
So it’s true that for a long time having a plate outside the country could prove useful. But things have changed and the European Union, cooperation between countries, and above all the computerization of data mean that today no one is safe from sanctions in the event of an infraction of the highway code.
Except that in many cases and countries, after an offense and even if one has been arrested, the fine is not to be paid at the time but sent later to the address of the offender, including if he resides elsewhere in the EU. This has been possible for several years via a European directive called « Cross Border » which establishes cooperation between countries in matters of traffic offenses and recovery of penalties… without however being able to force people to then pay said fines.
Car if the directive « Cross Border » allows countries to find the contact details of people in violation and notify them of their fines; they then have no means of pressure other than sending reminder letters to each offender. Which will not commit them in any way regarding the obligation to pay if they do not want to…
-When Belgium says “stop”
A situation which obviously does not necessarily satisfy the countries which are therefore unable to fine certain offenses, particularly the most serious ones.
Based on this observation, Belgium has therefore decided to innovate, at least with regard to people behind the wheel who test positive for drugs or alcohol.
Since January 1 of this year, in addition to being fined, they will have to leave a deposit of €1,260 during the check to be able to leave. This sum blocked until the amount of the fine is established and paid, serving, as one might suspect, to put pressure on them to then pay their fine after conviction. A measure that is certainly a bit radical, although understandable, which could well give ideas to other European countries…
Belgium
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