In 2023, the number of traffic offenses reached 8.4 million, mainly linked to speeding. But the European barometer of the Vinci Autoroutes Foundation highlights other diversions to the highway code in Belgium. Accidents, dangerous behaviors while driving … The margin of progression remains considerable.
The 14ᵉ European mobility barometer of the Vinci Autoroutes Foundation draws up a mixed assessment Belgian behavior on the road. It highlights often unspeakable shortcomings, breaches of basic rules which, in 2023, caused 33.340 accidents, 44,742 injured et 501 dead.
First teaching to be drawn from the barometer: Belgians are almost always above the European average. For better as for worse. Nine out of ten users commit speedingagainst eight out of ten on a European scale. The Belgian has his foot heavy. But above all, he does not support those who monopolize the band in the middle on the highway. In more than a third of the cases, he then exceeded by the right, a maneuver strictly prohibited and sanctioned by a fine of 116 euros, which can go up to 2,000 euros and a license withdrawal from eight days to five years if the affair passes before the police court. An exceptional measure, but at the disposal of the king’s prosecutor.
SPF Mobility and Transport recalls that main causes of accidents are: “the vitesse, alcoholthe use of GSM and the non-port of seat belt. The telephone multiplies by four the risk of accident, the speed plays a role in 30% of cases and 38% of seriously injured users presented a higher alcohol level than the legal limit of 0.5 g/l of blood. “
In terms of alcohol, Belgians still have progress to make. All age groups combined, One in ten user admits to driving under the influence of alcoholagainst 7 % at European level. Drivers under the age of 35 are weigning this average: 19 % of them say they have already led into drunkenness, compared to 25 % in Europe. Not enough to rejoice. The SPF Mobility insists: “This rate should tend towards zero. On average, 4,210 accidents per year are linked to alcohol. ” On the cannabis side, around 3% of Belgians admit that they had dried under its influence.
The use of smartphone on the wheel remains a scourge in Belgium. And its risky uses are evolving: a quarter of young people under 35 watch videos while driving. Almost all of the Belgian drivers use their phone while driving to adjust the GPS, telephone, send SMS or listen to music with a helmet or headphones.
Since 2022, this offense has been classified in the third degree, at the same level as crossing a red light or the loan from the emergency stop band. It is sanctioned by a fine of 174 euros, an immediate withdrawal from the permit in the event of proven danger, and a forfeiture of the right to drive left to the appreciation of the King’s prosecutor.
Belgians, nervous?
The eternal war between the pro- and anti-turn signals is reflected in the barometer figures. Half of the Belgians admit to forget them regularly. This figure is particularly significant: it is one of the driving behaviors that causes the most annoyance, in front of the users who stick, squat the band of the environment or park in double line. The Touring press service, specialist in road data, specifies: “This forgetfulness is not trivial. It can increase aggressiveness, generate dangerous behavior, and therefore increase the risk of accident. To forget a turn signal is to risk a snowball effect ”.
But it takes more to annoy the Belgians: 39 % consider themselves courteous driving, even if one in two admits occasionally insulting another user. When it comes to going down from his vehicle to explain himself, the average drops to one in six. Despite everything, almost all of the Belgian drivers say they are “convinced of being exemplary behind the wheel” because “the bad drivers are the others (76 %)”.
And yet, the Belgians seem to be able to lift their foot: 81 % say they stop during the journey to take a nap, 20 points more than the European average. “”Belgian drivers are the ones who have best integrated the nap In the management of their long journeys, ”underlines the Vinci Autoroutes Foundation.
Government reaction
The federal mobility minister, Jean-Luc Crucke (the committed), recalled the strong measures he intends to implement these figures in response: “I undertake to pursue an ambitious road safety policy, centered on really problematic behavior and the recurrences of serious factsrather than limited speeding. Frequent offenders could be automatically summoned before the police court, with road safety training offered in alternative. ”
Another novelty in his speech: Jean-Luc Crucke wishes to establish a Recurities databasein cooperation with federated entities and the SPF Justice, in order to “fight impunity and bet on behavior change.”
The dangerous habits of the Belgians will therefore soon go unnoticed and will be severely punished. At least, if the Minister’s ambition were to come true.
Wallonia in halftone, Flanders weighs the average
“The Walloon objective of not exceeding 100 killed on the roads by 2030 seems almost illusory without a drastic modification of behavior, both individual and collective,” analyzes the Walloon agency for road safety (AWSR). In 2023, Wallonia recorded 10,211 accidents, 207 dead, 725 seriously injured and 9,279 light.
In Flanders, the figures explode : 22,871 injured, 262 dead, 2,162 seriously injured and 20,447 light. This over -representation is explained in particular by a larger number of cycling users, particularly vulnerable.
The Mobility and Public Works Department (MOW) of the Flemish government identifies several causes: “First, the Traffic density is higher. Flanders is strongly urbanizedcrossing many secondary roads where cars, cyclists, pedestrians and scooters coexist. This mix increases the risk of accident. Then, dangerous behaviors persist: excessive speed, use of the smartphone, crossing red lights, driving under influence. Finally, Flemish town planning offers little margin to redevelop certain crossroads, complicating the creation of separate cycle paths or fires without conflicts. ”
Brussels, a counterexample?
The capital, often criticized for its chaotic circulation, surprises. In 2023, Brussels recorded 3,773 accidents, 3,614 light injured, 153 graves and 6 dead. A perfectible result, of course, but the mortality has dropped 70 % since 2020. On average, ten accidents occur every day in the Brussels region, mostly light. Cyclists, pedestrians and scooters alone represent 54 % of the injured.
The Good Move observatory reminds us: “The stated objective is to reach zero killed and zero injured injured by 2030.”
European particularities
- France : Insult champions, 68 % of drivers recognize regularly other motorists.
- Greece : Optional red lights, 72 % admit to crossing an orange or red fire.
- Poland : explosive temperament, 36 % have already left their car to “explain it”.
- Portugal : daily alcohol, rare belt, 40 % drink before driving, only 6 % bear the belt in town.
- Italy : Not seen, not taken, less than 1 % say they have suffered a blood pressure.
- Suede : Examples or almost, 74 % wear the belt, 80 % feel uncomfortable without.
