We are on Avenue de l’Assomption, in the Saint-Luc university campus where there are several parking lots. What is called a “crow’s foot junction” is formed on this avenue, that is to say a Y-shaped intersection where the driver is obliged to turn right, onto Avenue du Rêve. . The left-hand branch of the Y is in a prohibited direction, as clearly indicated by the C1 sign placed just to the right at the entrance to the junction.
The scan-car arrives in Woluwe-St-Lambert to check the blue zone: “People come to change the discs several times in the same day”
As a reminder, sign C1, which represents a red circle with a horizontal stripe, means a “prohibited direction for all drivers”.
According to article 68.1 of the Highway Code, it must be installed to the right of the roadway in the direction of traffic, which guarantees that it is clearly visible and complies with legal requirements. This is the case here.
Between 30 and 500 euros fine
Mohamed Azouzi noticed that instead of turning right, the scan-car turns left, therefore taking the forbidden direction. As he was able to photograph and film it several times.
Why does the inspector driving the scan car do this? The shortcut simply allows you to arrive directly at a parking lot with a parking meter designed for around ten parking spaces. Taking the forbidden direction gives you access to this small, discreet car park without having to make the detour via Avenue Vandervelde and Avenue de la Lesse.
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In other words, overriding the prohibited direction makes it easier to “verbalize” offenders, and too bad for this violation of the highway code, a serious offense of the third degree punishable by a fine of up to 500 euros. Mohamed Azouzi, who uncovered the story, claims to have observed the scheme on numerous occasions. He sometimes took out his smartphone, took photos and filmed, notably on September 10 at 2:24 p.m.; the 12th at 2:27 p.m.; on the 24th at 4:07 p.m. “What will road users think, in particular the inhabitants of Woluwe and even more especially those of this district, whose parking is controlled by a municipal scan-car which travels in the forbidden direction?”
Olivier Maingain reacted
Asked by us, the mayor, Olivier Maingain, reacted. “There are several agents using our scan-car. We will carry out an investigation and if it appears that some are indeed committing driving infractions, I guarantee that there will be serious calls for order.”
For Olivier Maingain, such infractions, if noted by the police, would give rise to a fine that the agent using the scan-car would be required to pay out of his own pocket, the principle being that in Woluwé, any municipal agent committing an offense while driving a municipal vehicle “is not covered by the municipality” but “must be responsible”. As for canceling parking fees on the grounds that the scan-car itself was committing an offense, “there is no question of it”, replied the mayor. “The fee due will not be canceled because of this, it remains valid, it will have to be paid.”
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