Support us

DistractionBelgium

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Belgium

237. Distraction

Distraction is anything that takes a driver’s attention away from safely controlling the vehicle and observing the road. Common distractions include mobile phones, navigation systems, passengers, eating, adjusting controls or looking away from traffic. Distraction can be visual, manual or mental and may significantly increase reaction time. Drivers should keep their attention on the road, prepare navigation and other settings before moving and avoid activities that interfere with safe driving.

Distraction
Distracted driving kills, keep your eyes and mind on the road.
Wikimedia.org • Melissa Wenger • CC0
Can you use a mobile phone while driving in Belgium?

Not while holding or manipulating it. Unless the vehicle is stopped or parked, a driver may not use, hold or manipulate a mobile electronic device with a screen unless it is fixed to the vehicle in a holder intended for that purpose.

Does the Belgian phone rule apply only to smartphones?

No. The rule applies broadly to mobile electronic devices with a screen, not only phones. This can include devices such as tablets and smartwatches.

Can you use a phone mounted in a holder in Belgium?

The specific prohibition on using a mobile electronic device does not apply when the device is fixed to the vehicle in a holder intended for that purpose. The driver must nevertheless remain in control of the vehicle and avoid unsafe distraction.

Can you hold your phone without using it while driving in Belgium?

No. The prohibition covers not only active use but also holding or manipulating the device while the vehicle is not stopped or parked.

Are other forms of distraction also a problem under Belgian traffic rules?

Yes. Belgian rules require every driver to be able to perform all necessary driving manoeuvres and remain in control of the vehicle. An activity that prevents this can therefore be unsafe even when it is not specifically named in the mobile-device rule.

Will Belgium’s new Road Code change the mobile-device rule?

The new Code of the Public Road keeps the same basic prohibition on using, holding or manipulating a mobile electronic device with a screen unless the vehicle is stopped or parked or the device is mounted in a suitable holder. It also expressly applies the prohibition to a person accompanying a learner driver during driver training.

1 Belgium 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Built-up area 6 Zone 7 Speed limit 8 Bike path 9 Cycling street 10 Pedestrian zone 11 Speed bump 12 Customs 13 One-way traffic 14 Quay 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Dead end 18 Stop sign 19 Give way 20 Roundabout 21 Priority road 22 Road narrowing 23 Priority over oncoming traffic 24 Give way to oncoming traffic 25 Pedestrian crossing 26 Railway crossing 27 Mandatory direction 28 Turn prohibition 29 School area 30 Crossing animals 31 Rockfall 32 Curve 33 Chevron 34 Wrong-way driving 35 Roadworks 36 Height limit 37 Width limit 38 Weight limit 39 Radar speed sign 40 Selective barriers 41 Intersection direction sign 42 Priority at the next junction 43 Traffic lights 44 Pedestrian lights 45 Driving licence 46 Location marker 47 Traffic mirror 48 International border 49 Cycling route 50 Parking 51 No parking 52 Kiss and ride 53 Parking meter 54 Traffic management 55 Reversing 56 Uncontrolled crossroad 57 Road surface 58 Ring road 59 Cycle highway 60 Licence plate 61 Charging station 62 Dangers 63 Turn on red 64 Identity card 65 Fire risk 66 Pedestrian 67 Moped 68 Car 69 Truck 70 Bus 71 Police 72 Ambulance 73 Tram lights 74 European emission standard 75 Pothole 76 Public square 77 Path 78 Particulates 79 Air pollution 80 Rush hour 81 Road code 82 Street gutter 83 Cargo bike 84 Forestry vehicle 85 Construction vehicle 86 Semi-trailer truck 87 Trolleybus 88 Speed pedelec 89 Delivery vehicle 90 Idling 91 Tow truck 92 Four-wheel drive 93 No vehicles 94 Bicycle 95 Motorcycle equipment 96 Railcar 97 Rail track 98 Public transport 99 Caravan 100 Trailer ... 101 Tow hitch 102 Fire truck 103 Siren 104 Convoy 105 Emergency vehicle lighting 106 Agricultural machinery 107 Electric bicycle 108 Electric vehicle 109 Pedelec 110 Quadricycle 111 Microcar 112 All-terrain vehicle 113 Van 114 Recreational vehicle 115 Scooter 116 Trikke 117 Personal mobility device 118 Skateboard 119 Segway 120 Kick scooter 121 Roller skates 122 Mailman 123 Hitchhiker 124 Toddler 125 Child 126 Disability 127 Motorail 128 km/h 129 mph 130 Speedometer 131 National speed 132 Ride height 133 Dirt road 134 Driving 135 Start-stop system 136 Manual transmission 137 Automatic transmission 138 Throttle 139 Tachometer 140 Steering wheel 141 Power steering 142 Visual scanning 143 Mirror 144 Fuel 145 Fuel gauge 146 Petrol 147 Diesel 148 Diesel exhaust fluid 149 Car insurance 150 First aid kit 151 Fire extinguisher 152 High-visibility clothing 153 First aid 154 Concrete step barrier 155 Barriers 156 Vehicle lights 157 Street lights 158 Dipped beam 159 High beam 160 Fog lights 161 Front fog lights 162 Rear fog lights 163 Side lights 164 Turn signals 165 Hazard lights 166 Dashboard lights 167 Bicycle lighting 168 Bicycle bell 169 Headlight flashing 170 Seat belt 171 Child restraints 172 Head restraints 173 Airbag 174 ABS 175 Esp 176 Traction control system 177 Helmet 178 Bicycle helmet 179 Hands-free 180 Smartphone 181 GPS 182 Brake 183 Handbrake 184 Brake fluid 185 Tyres 186 Tyre code 187 Winter tyres 188 Tyre pressure 189 Snow chains 190 Bicycle tyre 191 Continuous track 192 Gross Vehicle Weight 193 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 194 Cargo 195 Car body 196 Trunk 197 Roof rack 198 Windscreen 199 Emergency hammer 200 Car battery 201 Traction battery 202 Suspension 203 Shock absorber 204 Spring 205 Exhaust 206 Exhaust gas 207 Soot 208 Catalytic converter 209 Engine 210 Petrol engine 211 Diesel engine 212 Electric motor 213 Timing belt 214 Glow plug 215 Cylinder 216 Engine oil 217 Coolant 218 Maintenance 219 Spare tyre 220 Flat tyre 221 Jack 222 Vehicle inspection 223 Key 224 Dashboard 225 Windscreen wiper 226 Doors 227 Glovebox 228 Visibility 229 Rain 230 Fog 231 Hail 232 Sunlight 233 Sunglasses 234 Salt 235 Air conditioning 236 Hydroplaning 237 Distraction 238 Emotions 239 Road rage 240 Health 241 Epilepsy 242 Night blindness 243 Visual impairment 244 Fatigue 245 Defects 246 Traffic violation 247 Alcohol 248 Alcohol control 249 Ignition interlock device 250 Breath test 251 Breath analysis 252 Blood alcohol content 253 Blood test 254 Saliva test 255 Drugs 256 Medication 257 Penalties 258 Speeding 259 Smoking 260 Traffic enforcement camera 261 Double curve 262 Accident 263 Injuries 264 Nosebleed 265 Damage 266 Breakdown 267 Warning triangle 268 Traffic rules 269 Driving school 270 Traffic signs