T&E: ‘Ever bigger cars are a threat to urban space and vulnerable road users’

June 24, 2026

European cities are facing an unprecedented threat to urban space because the trend towards large SUVs risks eliminating vast numbers of parking spaces. According to a new report published today by T&E and Clean Cities, all cities are set to lose between 8.5% and 14% of their on-street parking spaces by 2040 if the size […]

From July 1st, Belgian traffic fines increase by 10%

June 19, 2026

From 1 July 2026, many traffic fines in Belgium will increase by 10%. The De Wever government announced the measure late last year as part of its efforts to raise additional budget revenue. The effective date has now been set. The increase applies to immediate-collection fines: the standard penalties imposed for many common offenses without […]

Chinese Tesla drivers defeat safety camera with fake $30 plastic heads

June 17, 2026

To fool the camera detection systems on their Teslas while driving in automated mode, Chinese customers turn to fake plastic doll heads. Screwed onto the ceiling of their cars, they successfully trick the system into thinking the driver is alert. It’s not the first time the aftermarket has tried to outsmart the safety systems of […]

Car obesity: Brussels eyes weight limits for SUVs

June 16, 2026

The Brussels Environment Council is calling on the region to adopt “a coherent strategy to reduce the weight of passenger cars gradually.” According to the Council, the weight of new passenger cars has increased by about 50% over the past 20 years. In 2023, more than half of new registrations in Brussels were SUVs, with […]

Benelux urges EU to end e-scooter rule chaos

June 16, 2026

After 16 European countries, including Belgium and the Netherlands, called for uniform European legislation on e-scooters late last year, the Benelux countries are now also urging the European Commission to work toward a harmonized European framework for e-scooters and other light electric vehicles. The three countries point to increasing fragmentation in national regulations, “which leads […]

Reuters: Tesla used misleading safety data to win FSD approval in Europe

June 16, 2026

As Tesla is gradually but quickly rolling out its supervised autonomous driving tech in Europe, details are emerging about how the company is trying to influence the approval process. According to Reuters, a policy manager is on a roadshow with a polished presentation that overestimates the safety benefits of FSD Supervised. After Tesla obtained approval […]

Lantis opens bicycle route along Oosterweel construction sites

June 15, 2026

Lantis, the developer of the immense Oosterweel project in Antwerp, launched a new cycle route last Sunday that leads visitors past the construction works. The cyclists receive further explanation about the works and an idea of ​​what the surroundings will look like in the future. The approximately 15-kilometer route, which starts at ‘Het Steen’, follows the existing […]

Driving school director arrested after half a million euro exam fraud

June 15, 2026

Three suspects, including a driving school director, have been arrested and placed in pretrial detention as part of an investigation into a large-scale driver’s license fraud scheme, the Antwerp police announced Friday. Investigators believe the fraudulent activities generated nearly half a million euros over approximately 3 years. The suspects were offering early appointments for practical […]

Bolt and Dott to lose Brussels e-scooter licenses in 2027

June 12, 2026

Just as the issues surrounding the use of shared e-scooters in Brussels were starting to improve – save for a rise in the number of accidents – the Brussels government has decided to ban shared e-scooters starting in 2027. The decision stems from a rising number of accidents, increased nuisance to other road users, and […]

Vias: ‘30% more accidents involving speed pedelecs in Flanders’

June 12, 2026

The number of traffic accidents in Belgium remained approximately the same in the first three months of this year, but what stands out is that the number of accidents in Flanders involving speed pedelecs has increased by 30% compared to the same period last year, from 142 to 184. In the province of East Flanders, […]

Flanders allows Tesla’s FSD Supervised on public roads (update)

June 12, 2026

Belgium has officially become the fifth EU member state to grant full approval for use of the Tesla FSD self-driving system. After succesful trials with a test vehicle, the Flemish Minister of Mobility, Annick De Ridder (NV-A), has granted approval. As regulatory barriers across Europe continue to fall, Tesla has simultaneously overhauled the pricing model […]

From July: 12-hour driving ban after positive alcohol test

June 11, 2026

Starting in July, anyone caught driving drunk will be given a twelve-hour driving ban. Until now, a driving ban following a positive alcohol test could last two, three, six, or twelve hours. The Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport reported on Tuesday that the legislative amendment was published in the Official Gazette. By systematically revoking driver’s […]

Three ‘free’ mistakes? De Lijn’s new fine policy raises eyebrows

June 09, 2026

Every bus driver employed by the Flemish public transportation company De Lijn will have three minor traffic violations reimbursed annually. Starting with the fourth minor violation within 12 months, the driver must pay the fine themselves. More serious violations, such as driving under the influence, are the employee’s responsibility from the outset. The new regulation […]

Fietsersbond: About half of cyclists during the morning rush hour are young people

June 04, 2026

46% of cyclists during the morning rush hour in Flanders and Brussels are children or teenagers who ride independently. This is according to a survey by the Fietsersbond or Cycling Union. In addition to this 46%, 6% of children were being transported on an adult’s bicycle. These were mainly cargo bikes (43%), longtails (25%), or […]

Avello: ‘Cycling infrastructure hinders safe commuting’

June 03, 2026

Wallonia and Brussels lag behind Flanders in bicycle commuting to work. Of course, the terrain and the capital’s busy urban environment play a role in this. But according to Avello, an advocacy group for cyclists in Walloon and Brussels municipalities, Wallonia and Brussels are also structurally the least bicycle-friendly regions, and it is precisely the […]

From summer 2027, using a warning triangle will no longer be mandatory in Belgium

June 03, 2026

Turning on your hazard lights instead of placing the warning triangle will become the new primary warning method for drivers whose vehicles break down on Belgian roads. The new rule takes effect on June 1, 2027. It is being introduced because placing a warning triangle along busy roads is no longer considered safe. After all, […]

New record for traffic violations in Belgium

June 02, 2026

Last year, the federal police recorded 10,1 million traffic violations in Belgium, a new record. Approximately 83% of all recorded traffic violations were speeding offenses. However, the majority of these are minor violations, involving speeds of 0-10 kph over the limit. This trend is largely attributable to the fact that traffic enforcement in Belgium is […]

BYD pays out if its ADAS systems fail

June 02, 2026

It’s the main question hovering over the use of ADAS technology and automated driving: if the systems fail and cause an accident, who’s paying the bill? Most disclaimers say that the use must be supervised and that the driver is always responsible. Not BYD. Still, there remain some ‘buts’. At its Intelligence Strategy Launch Event […]

Scania launches battery-electric CrewCab for rescue vehicles

June 01, 2026

Scania launches its first-ever battery-electric CrewCab for fire, airport, and civil rescue operations. The new battery-electric CP31L 4×2 is purpose-built to support demanding emergency operations while enabling zero-tailpipe-emissions transport operations. Equipped with 356 kWh installed battery capacity and a 90% state-of-charge window, the vehicle combines operational capability with electric performance. Designed with free frame sides, […]

Lommel and Pelt to serve as test case for autonomous vehicles

May 28, 2026

Starting in June, the Belgian Limburg municipalities of Lommel and Pelt will become a rest region for smart and autonomous vehicles. Lommel Mayor Bob Nijs (CD&V) and his Pelt counterpart, Dennis Fransen (CD&V), have signed a letter of commitment to that effect. Initially, the test drives will take place at Ford’s test site in Lommel, […]

Body cams coming soon to Belgian public transportation

May 26, 2026

Both train conductors and drivers at De Lijn, MIVB/STIB, and LETEC will soon be allowed to wear body cams. This was decided by the Federal Council of Ministers. The draft legislation must still be approved by the Council of State and then by Parliament before it can take effect. With this measure, the government hopes […]

“Mission: Safe to School”: The game that guides you safely to school

May 25, 2026

At the initiative of DVV Verzekeringen, the Vias Institute has developed “Mission: Safe to School,” an educational video game in which children virtually practice their route to school before taking it in real life. The free game, which is primarily aimed at elementary school children in grades 4 through 6, will be available to all […]

ZAS Hospital Group calls for ban on nighttime rides on shared e-scooters

May 19, 2026

The Antwerp-based ZAS Hospital Group is advocating a ban on shared e-scooters between midnight and 8 a.m., according to Gazet van Antwerpen. With this proposal, emergency services aim to halt the rise in accidents involving this mode of transportation. However well-intentioned it may be – and understandable given the frustration of emergency room doctors who […]

Stellantis to build affordable E-Car in Naples from 2028

May 19, 2026

Stellantis is gearing up for its E-Car project and has officially announced a family of small, affordable, all-electric vehicles for multiple group brands. Production has been assigned to its Pomigliano d’Arco plant in Italy, near Naples, with a 2028 start date.  For nearly a year, the E-Car has circulated as a concept: after a joint […]

GOCA: ‘Minister’s plan on car inspection collides with future EU regulations’

May 12, 2026

The drastic reform of the car inspection procedure in Flanders, planned by Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder, goes in the opposite direction to the new regulatory plans of the European Union, says GOCA, the sector federation currently responsible for the technical and safety inspection. “We have a growing impression that a more ideological viewpoint […]

No driver, no excuse: robotaxis no longer escape fines

May 07, 2026

California is closing a years-old legal loophole that made driverless cars effectively untouchable by traffic police. Starting this summer, autonomous vehicle manufacturers can be fined directly for moving violations committed by their vehicles. The question is: aren’t robotaxis built to behave under all conditions?  For years, driverless cars in California operated in a gray zone. […]

Welcome to China’s tech craze: these car headlights can play a movie

May 01, 2026

Huawei has unveiled its XPixel technology, which can turn a car’s front lamps into a full-color cinema projector. Chinese cars are increasingly becoming houses on wheels. While the drive-in movie theatre is a well-known romantic feature from American pop culture, it is now China that is trying to revive the concept by upgrading the technology. […]

Brake failure risk: Audi recalls nearly 100,000 e-tron and Q8 e-tron EVs

April 30, 2026

Nearly 100,000 units of the Audi e-tron and Q8 e-tron are being recalled worldwide over a potentially dangerous braking defect. The issue can render the conventional foot brake completely inoperative, leaving the electronic parking brake as the only fallback. The recall also applies in Belgium, where the model was manufactured. Audi has initiated a worldwide […]

Alcohol and drugs remain a persistent problem for De Lijn drivers

April 28, 2026

Last year, 68 drivers at the Flemish public transportation company De Lijn were caught using alcohol or drugs. This marks another increase compared to previous years, when 62 and 57 drivers were caught during preventive checks, respectively. According to Flemish Member of Parliament and CD&V faction leader Peter Van Rompuy, who requested the figures, the […]

Bolt is rolling out 1,200 new e-scooters with built-in screens and navigation in Brussels

April 23, 2026

The Estonian multinational mobility company Bolt is introducing 1,200 new e-scooters in Brussels. The Bolt 7 features a built-in screen with navigation guidance, and three AI applications will also help address inappropriate riding behavior. Eventually, the entire Bolt fleet of 4,000 shared e-scooters in Brussels will be replace. “We’re not just renewing our fleet; we’re […]

Belgium introduces safety label for e-scooters

April 21, 2026

Belgium has finalized an action plan to remove dangerous e-scooters from the market more quickly and prevent them from entering the market in the first place. As part of this effort, 75,000 euros will be allocated this year for technical testing, and a safety label for e-scooters will be introduced in January. With this action […]

‘Three out of four Walloon drivers occasionally flout parking rules’

April 16, 2026

Nearly three out of four Walloon drivers (72%) admit that they sometimes park their vehicles in a way that causes an obstruction. This is according to a study by the Walloon Road Safety Agency (AWSR). The most common situations involve parking too close to a crosswalk, on a sidewalk, or double-parking. The AWSR points out […]

De Lijn celebrates its 1,000th e-bus

April 16, 2026

The 1,000th electric bus is entering service in Flanders’ public transport system. “A milestone in the transition to greener transport,” is how it’s described. Of those 1,000 e-buses, more than 700 are operated by private bus companies contracted by De Lijn. De Lijn itself currently has nearly 300 e-buses on the road. However, the public […]

Read the signs… they’re made of plants now in the Netherlands

April 15, 2026

The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, Rijkswaterstaat, is starting an experiment with 24 ‘plant-based’ traffic signs along the A58 near Oirschot. Rijkswaterstaat wants to test whether these so-called ‘bio-signs’ can be an alternative to the existing aluminum traffic signs. The signboards are made from hemp, sugar waste, and vegetable oil. Real outdoor conditions The […]

More than one in three Belgians regularly exceed speed limits

April 14, 2026

According to a recent survey among 5,000 Belgian drivers by the Traffic Safety Institute Vias, more than one in three drivers admit they often drive too fast. Speeding is clearly no marginal behavior in Belgium, it’s mainstream, and seen as relatively socially acceptable. One in four respondents (26%) exceed the speed limit several times a […]

Tesla’s FSD lands in Europe via the Netherlands: eyes open, hands ready

April 13, 2026

Last Friday, the Dutch vehicle approval authority, RDW, dropped a bombshell: Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (Supervised) has been granted type approval for use on public roads in the Netherlands. Tesla says the rollout via over-the-air updates will begin within days, making the Dutch customers the first Europeans to access automated driving at a level that hasn’t […]

How drunk cycling can cost you your driver’s license

April 10, 2026

In 2024, the police fined about 460 drunk cyclists. Various newspapers reported this in recent days. And even more striking: about 270 times, this also led to the revocation of the driver’s license. In that case, the cyclist not only received a hefty fine but also had to leave his car or motorcycle parked for a […]

People on rail tracks cause 4.5 hours of delays per day in Belgium

April 10, 2026

Last year, there were 583 reports of people walking on or along the railway tracks in Belgium. According to the rail infrastructure manager Infrabel, these individuals were responsible for 4.5 hours of delays per day. Track intruders cause significant delays, particularly during the evening rush hour and on the busy north-south line in Brussels. Infrabel […]

De Lijn tests smart ‘extra eyes’ for tram drivers in Ghent”

April 08, 2026

Following a successful pilot project in Antwerp, De Lijn will also test an advanced driver assistance system for trams in Ghent. The system acts as a digital co-pilot, assisting tram drivers in complex urban traffic situations by helping them identify risks more quickly and prevent collisions. Last year, the driver assistance system project, part of the […]

Tourists beware: French carpool lane sign could mean €135 fine

April 08, 2026

Anyone driving to France should watch out for a new traffic sign on French highways: some lanes are marked with a raised diamond, indicating that the lane is reserved for cars with at least two occupants – also called ‘carpool lane’. Taxis and electric cars are also allowed to use them.  The sign is often located […]

Stellantis faces a massive recall… again

April 02, 2026

Auto manufacturing group Stellantis has to recall 700,000 vehicles worldwide due to a fire risk. Models built between 2023 and 2026 have components from the fuel and electrical systems that are too close together, posing a potential fire hazard. In Belgium, 22,000 vehicles are concerned. Stellantis is facing yet another reliability concern with its vehicles. […]

From test to traffic: Colruyt’s driverless deliveries go live in Leuven

April 01, 2026

On Tuesday, Colruyt’s online grocery service Collect&Go launched an innovative home delivery service in Leuven using an unmanned electric vehicle. The project began as a pilot earlier.  The launch is part of the broader development of sustainable and efficient urban logistics. The vehicle is – for the time being – remotely controlled and monitored via […]

Belgium to mandate helmets for e-scooters over 20 km/h

March 31, 2026

Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) wants to introduce a mandatory helmet law for users of e-scooters exceeding 20 kilometers per hour and has drafted a royal decree to that end. His goal is clear: to save lives. Emergency doctors have long been advocating for a helmet mandate, and now politicians are following suit. The rule […]

Flemish Mobility Minister pushes through with car inspection reforms

March 30, 2026

Despite criticism from all sides, Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder (N-VA) is pushing through her plans to reorganize the car inspection. The Minister wants to change and simplify the system because, in her eyes, it’s ‘gold-plated’ and asks too much of the common Flemish car owner. The most important changes are the abolition of […]

Lose an hour, risk a crash: why summer time change can be dangerous

March 27, 2026

This weekend, on the night between Saturday and Sunday, we’ll switch from Standard Time to Daylight Saving Time. At 2:00 a.m., the clock will be set forward one hour, making it 3:00 a.m., which means we’ll get one hour less sleep. But drivers, take note: That single stolen hour of sleep can also have a […]

3% drop in EU road fatalities, yet progress remains too slow

March 25, 2026

According to preliminary figures from the European Commission, 19,400 people lost their lives in traffic in the European Union in 2025. This represents a 3 percent decrease from 2024, resulting in 580 fewer fatalities. However, progress is “too slow” to meet the 2030 target. “Given the increase in the number of vehicles on EU roads and […]

Most e-scooters sold in Belgium barely meet regulatory standards

March 24, 2026

As many as 35 of the 40 e-scooters inspected in Belgian stores and online shops do not comply with legal requirements. This is according to recent inspections by the Economic Inspectorate. Half of the e-scooters inspected were sold online; the other half were sold in physical stores. Only three of the scooters sold online complied […]

Passenger cars are the leading cause of blind-spot accidents

March 18, 2026

According to Fietsberaad Vlaanderen, a center for cycling expertise, a comprehensive approach is needed to combat blind-spot accidents, because contrary to popular belief, passenger cars account for the largest share of vehicles involved in blind-spot accidents, followed by light trucks (vans). This is reported by the knowledge center for bicycle policy following a study conducted […]

Malta pays drivers €5,000/year to give up their driver’s license

March 18, 2026

On the island of Malta, they are tackling traffic congestion with a remarkable measure: young drivers (aged 18-30) will receive 25,000 euros when they hand in their driver’s license for five years. The Maltese government introduced the measure to reduce the growing number of cars on the road.  The new regulation was introduced in January […]

Ghent start-up develops software to catch drivers overtaking cyclists in bicycle zone

March 17, 2026

Two friends and fellow students, Alessandro Heirman (27) and Lindert Bottelberghe (25), from Ghent have developed software to catch motorists overtaking cyclists in a bicycle zone. “In combination with artificial intelligence (AI), we have developed a software system capable of using cameras, which can even be already installed cameras, to detect cars overtaking a cyclist […]

IATA Safety Report 2025: one accident per 759,646 flights

March 10, 2026

The aviation industry delivered a solid safety performance last year, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Although the number of accidents in commercial aviation fell compared to 2024, the number of fatalities rose to 394, compared to 244 in the previous year, mainly due to two spectacular accidents in India and the United […]

Vias: ‘Number of road deaths in Belgium fell to lowest level ever’

March 10, 2026

In 2025, the number of road deaths fell to its lowest level ever recorded. Last year, 445 people died in traffic accidents on Belgian roads. In Flanders, there were 234 deaths, 14 fewer (-6%) than in 2024, and in Wallonia, the number of road fatalities also fell from 197 to 191 (-3%). The figures come from the […]

45 Major road projects planned across Flanders in €1 billion mobility push

March 04, 2026

2026 will be the year of major roadworks in Flanders. Significant works are planned at 45 locations across Flanders, representing an investment of 1 billion euros – not including the Oosterweel project. The plans were announced last Tuesday by Annick De Ridder (N-V), Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works. Every year, work is planned to keep the […]

Antwerp to expand its car-free zone

March 03, 2026

In Antwerp, the city council has given the green light for expanding the car-free zone in the city center. With the ‘Via Sinjoor’, the new car-free route, the city wants to create a virtually car-free boulevard through the city center. The goal is to create a more attractive and safer city center. The city council […]

‘Scrolling into danger: traffic stunt videos influence young drivers’

February 27, 2026

Social media has an impact on the traffic behaviour of young adults that should not be underestimated. The more often they witness unsafe traffic behavior on social media, the more likely they are to engage in risky behavior and receive traffic fines themselves. This is the conclusion of a recent study by the road safety institute […]

Flemish driving test centers tighten rules to combat fraud

February 26, 2026

The Flemish government and driving test centers are taking measures to combat exam fraud and abuse, according to the Mediahuis newspapers. From now on, it will be mandatory to register via the Itsme app or another digital key, such as an eID, to make an appointment for a driving exam, and there will be many […]

Low sun causes 160 accidents per year on Walloon roads

February 25, 2026

We haven’t seen much sun in Belgium this year, but now that the first signs of spring are appearing, the Walloon Road Safety Agency (AWSR) is warning about glare from the sun in traffic at this time of the year. During these months, the sun is low on the horizon at exactly the times when […]

Flemish plans for revising car inspection meet criticism

February 25, 2026

Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder  (N-VA) wants to reorganize and simplify the mandatory car inspection in the region. She wants it to be more consumer-friendly and offer higher-quality service. According to the Minister, the current organisational model of the vehicle inspection system in Flanders no longer meets contemporary citizens’ expectations regarding public authorities and […]

Antwerp pre-metro tunnel closed for almost a year

February 16, 2026

The pre-metro tunnel in Antwerp between the Right and Left Banks of the river Scheldt will close for renovation on May 4. The work, which is urgently needed after years of underinvestment, is expected to last until the end of March 2027, which is 11 months. Some sections of the pre-metro tunnel are now more […]

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