Increase in fines imposed for using mobile phones while driving due to new speed cameras
The number of fines for using a mobile phone while driving in the Netherlands has risen sharply, driven by the introduction of new focus speed cameras (focusflitspalen – special cameras that detect phone use). Authorities issued 248,020 penalties in one year, over 80,000 more than the previous year.
In 2024, 165,408 fines were recorded for phone use in cars and on bicycles. Last year, at least 73,000 violations were detected specifically by focus speed cameras, which were first activated in The Hague in May. Later, ten more locations were added, mainly in South Holland (Zuid-Holland – province in the Netherlands).
The Dutch government (Nederlandse overheid – national government of the Netherlands) now plans to install fifty of these cameras across the country in the coming year. Phone use will be punished not only through focus speed cameras, but also via regular speed cameras and traditional police checks. The risk of being caught is also rising because flex speed cameras (flexflitspalen – mobile speed cameras) are constantly moved between different locations.
Despite the rise in phone-related fines, the total number of traffic fines fell last year. About 7.5 million fines were issued in 2025, compared with almost 8 million the year before. This decrease is mainly linked to nearly half a million fewer speeding fines due to the replacement of technical equipment.
Fines for running red lights remained almost unchanged. Parking fines, however, increased slightly, rising from nearly 466,000 to more than 493,000. Authorities say the focus remains on improving road safety by targeting distracted driving and dangerous behavior.