More drivers in the Netherlands receive traffic fines for mobile phone use
By Simone Jacobs
The latest figures for 2025 have shown a significant increase in the number of drivers and cyclists fined for using their mobile phones while on the road in the Netherlands. New traffic cameras, which detect when drivers are handling their phones, are behind the rise.
Dutch traffic cameras catch more drivers using mobile phones
While several traffic violations occurred more frequently last year, earning more drivers fines, the most noticeable rise was in the number of fines issued for mobile phone use. According to figures from the Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB), a whopping 248.020 traffic fines were issued in 2025 for using a mobile phone while driving or cycling - up 50 percent from the year before, when just 165.408 were issued.
Most of these so-called “distracted driving” violations were discovered during traffic stops by police, but more than 73.000 of were detected by the 40 smart cameras that detect mobile phone use in traffic. These “focus flashers” were introduced last year by the public prosecution office.
After a driver is caught holding a mobile phone by the camera, a CJIB worker checks to see if it is valid before issuing a fine - 440 euros for drivers and 170 euros for cyclists. “Distracted driving poses a significant risk to road safety, and therefore, enforcement efforts will be stepped up in 2026 by significantly increasing the number of focus cameras to 50 by the end of the year,” writes the prosecution service in a report.
The special cameras are typically set up in a single location for about two months before being moved to another, reports NOS. Overall, there are around 300 set locations across the Netherlands for camera placement.
Total traffic fines issued lower than previous years
More people were stopped by police last year for cycling without lights and not wearing a seatbelt while driving, but the total number of fines issued actually decreased. 7,57 million fines were issued in 2025, down from 7,91 million the previous year.
The public prosecution service attributes this to the large drop in speeding fines, which was partly caused by the “replacement of equipment”. Almost 500.000 fewer fines were given out for speeding compared to a year earlier.
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Editor for the Netherlands at IamExpat Media. Simone studied Genetics and Zoology at the University of Pretoria in South Africa before moving to the Netherlands, where she has been working as a writer and editor since 2022. One thing she loves more than creating content is consuming it, mainly by reading books by the dozen. Other than being a book dragon, she is also a nature lover and enjoys hiking and animal training.Read more