The number of fines for people who use their phones while driving or cycling soared in 2025, government figures show.

Some 248,020 people were caught using their phones behind the wheel or while riding their bike last year, 80,000 more than in 2024. Of them, nearly 54,000 were cyclists who were then fined €170 plus administration costs. Motorists pay €440 plus costs.

Some 73,000 fines were the result of the introduction of a so-called “distracted driver camera” which can detect phone use. The cameras were first used in May in The Hague and later in 10 other locations, mostly in the province of Zuid-Holland.

The total number of traffic fines issued by police and council wardens went down last year from eight to 7.5 million because monitoring equipment was being replaced, officials say.

Some 493,000 parking fines were issued, some 33,000 more than the year before.

The report also shows over 52,000 cyclists and moped users were fined for using their two-wheelers on the pavement.