Belgian transport company to reimburse bus drivers for minor traffic violations

De Lijn, the Flemish public transport company, has introduced a new policy to reimburse bus drivers for minor traffic violations. Under the updated system, drivers will receive compensation for up to three minor offenses within a 12-month period. However, starting with the fourth minor infraction, drivers will be responsible for paying the fines themselves.

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Depending on the province where they drove, bus drivers paid a higher or lower own contribution for a traffic fine in the old system.

This new uniform regulation applies to all of Flanders and aims to eliminate historical discrepancies in how traffic fines were handled across different provinces. Previously, the amount drivers had to contribute varied significantly; for instance, in 2024, drivers in Limburg paid nearly half of their fines, while those in Antwerp paid only 13.5 percent.

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Anyone who is responsible for safely transporting thousands of travelers every day also bears a great responsibility in traffic. Road safety must always come first.

Serious offenses, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and using a mobile phone while driving, remain entirely the responsibility of the employee. Minister of Mobility Annick De Ridder emphasized that the new system promotes accountability, stating, "Anyone who is responsible for safely transporting thousands of travelers every day also bears a great responsibility in traffic. Road safety must always come first."

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From a road safety perspective, it is always desirable that the person who commits the offense pays the fine.

However, the traffic institute Vias expressed skepticism. Spokesperson Stef Willems commented, "From a road safety perspective, it is always desirable that the person who commits the offense pays the fine." He added that the new regulation "is not the best signal," as fines are intended to deter future violations.

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This new regulation is not the best signal.