rssNov 14, 2026, 19:00

750 euro fine for tram driver who ran red light and hit 14-year-old girl

A 59-year-old tram driver has been fined 750 euros after running a red light in Amsterdam and hitting a 14-year-old cyclist. The victim sustained serious injuries, but the court ruled the incident was a traffic violation rather than a criminal offense, rejecting a request for community service.

A 59-year-old tram driver has been fined 750 euros after colliding with a 14-year-old girl in Amsterdam. The incident occurred on March 25 on the Buitenveldertselaan, where the driver ignored a red light that had been active for nine minutes. The teenager suffered severe injuries, including a skull fracture, a collapsed lung, and multiple broken bones, requiring two surgeries. The driver, who mistakenly believed he had a white signal to proceed, has since resigned from his position to avoid the risk of future accidents.

While the Public Prosecution Service had requested 100 hours of community service, the court categorized the act as a traffic violation rather than a crime. Judges concluded that although the driver was at fault, his actions did not reach the threshold of gross negligence required for a criminal conviction. Consequently, the court imposed a fine instead of the requested community service, noting that the driver operated under the mistaken belief he was permitted to move forward at the intersection.

Amsterdam Netherlands World

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Based on reporting by rss. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.

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