MP's wants longer driving bans after serious accidents; Fines for unnecessary honking
A majority in the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of the Dutch parliament, wants to impose longer driving bans on reckless drivers who cause serious accidents resulting in permanent injury or death. A parliamentary majority also supported a proposal for higher fines for unnecessary use of your car’s horn in traffic.
Currently, Dutch courts can impose a five-year driving ban on a motorist who caused a serious accident. If they are a repeat offender, the ban can be for ten years. A motion by MPs Maarten Goudzwaard (JA21) and André Flach to investigate whether reckless drivers can be imposed a long-term or permanent driving ban received majority support, Hart van Nederland reported.
“Participation in traffic is not an automatic right, but a responsibility that can be restricted for a long period or permanently in cases of serious abuse,” the MPs said in their motion.
A parliamentary majority also supported a VVD proposal to enforce the ban on unnecessary honking in traffic more strictly and to impose higher fines, RTL Nieuws reported. According to traffic regulations, the horn may only be used ot avert immediate danger, but people don’t always adhere to this. Recently, protesting farmers used their horns as part of their demonstration. Football supporters also often honk as they celebrate their team’s win.
Celebrating and protesting are allowed, “but that is not what traffic is for,” said VVD parliamentarian Bart Bikkers. “These kinds of incidents ultimately lead to unsafe situations in traffic.” According to Bikkers, unnecessary honking is dangerous because it startles other drivers and can hold up traffic.
The current fine for unnecessary honking is €190. The VVD wants to increase that. Repeat offenders should also receive a penalty point on their driver’s license. "Of course, there are bigger problems in this world, but we must also be there for these kinds of small problems that do lead to a great deal of danger and irritation," Bikkers said.
