brussels,Belgium – A new public awareness campaign launched in Belgium aims to drastically reduce instances of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs,featuring prominent Belgian actor and presenter Tom Waes sharing his personal experience with a DUI. The campaign, spearheaded by the Flemish Department of Mobility and Public Works, seeks to dismantle common justifications for impaired driving with the tagline “There are no excuses, drive without influence.”
The initiative follows a similar 2024 campaign focused on distracted driving, which the public broadcaster VRT reports had a notable impact. This latest effort builds on that momentum, utilizing a multi-pronged approach including a campaign video and a televised testimonial from Jordy, a man who suffered a brain injury after driving drunk and colliding with a utility pole. Jordy shared his story during an interruption of the quiz show Blocks, detailing his seven-year recovery journey.
According to campaign developers, a key focus is encouraging intervention by friends and family when someone intends to drive impaired. Statistics reveal a concerning prevalence of the behavior: ten traffic accidents occur daily in Belgium due to drivers under the influence,one in five Belgian drivers admit to driving with potentially excessive alcohol levels monthly,and one in twenty admit to monthly driving under the influence of drugs.
Waes himself received a three-month driving ban, a one-year alcohol interlock requirement, a fine, and must retake his driving tests after being convicted in May for causing a car accident while impaired. He now returns to his role as a presenter and hopes the campaign will spark open conversations.”Don’t worry, I live nearby” or “I can still drive” are frequently cited excuses, according to the Flemish Department, which the campaign aims to challenge.
VRT director Karen Donders emphasized the power of personal narratives, stating, “Strong stories can have a major impact: in this case they break down excuses, bring people together and encourage more duty on the road.” Singer Pommelien Thijs previously served as a prominent face for the 2024 distracted driving campaign.