Are you also so angry about those higher traffic fines?

That actually isn't so bad at all

Of course, I'm not averse to a juicy headline or Facebook post in the hope of enticing you to our site, but the news has been quite sensational lately. For instance, I recently saw in my overview of the RTL News app that Angela de Jong has an open marriage. I didn't really find that newsworthy, but being curious as I am, I clicked, only to feel incredibly cheated afterwards. Because that other person in her life turned out to be her remote control.

Yesterday, steam was coming out of my ears when I heard on the radio that ‘fines’ would go up by 8 percent next year. I found that inhumane from a government during a time when we are already struggling so much. For my monthly gas bill, you could previously rent a nice apartment in Amsterdam-West. And now they want to squeeze us again just because our parking meter has expired?

It was – again – a bit different. Indeed, a number of fines are being increased, but these concern serious traffic violations. The goal is not to shove more money into the coffers (although that wouldn't be so strange since the ‘income’ from traffic fines was 48 million less due to corona), but to prevent us from committing serious accidents.

What will become more expensive?

• Using your phone while driving 350 euros
• Running a red light 250 euros
• Not driving at a green light 150 euros
• Not overtaking on the left 250 euros
• Driving over a lane marking 250 euros

Some things will also become cheaper, such as:

• Parking in a disabled parking space goes from 400 to 310 euros
• Making unnecessary noise with a motor vehicle (does honking when Max Verstappen has won at every orange cyclist you pass count too, do you think?) goes from 400 to 250

That's nice to know. Luckily, you have me for that. You're glad you clicked, aren't you?