Never before have Belgian police registered so many traffic violations (9.2 million) as last year. That represents a 10.7 percent increase compared to the previous year, marking the highest number ever. The number of minor speeding violations, in particular, increased sharply.

In total, drivers were caught speeding more than 7.6 million times, almost 13 percent more often than the previous year. Compared to 2018, this figure has even doubled. The sharp increase in the number of speeding violations is primarily attributed to the rise in average speed checks and the deployment of mobile cameras.

At the same time, a new survey by the Flemish Road Safety Foundation (Vlaamse Stichting Verkeerskunde, VSV) reveals that an increasing number of drivers claim to almost always pay attention to their speed.

There’s also a minority who continue to ignore speed limits. It is for them that VSV is launching a new version of the ‘Your speed, my safety’ (Jouw snelheid, mijn veiligheid) campaign on Thursday, supported by schoolchildren.

“The stricter enforcement is contributing to a decrease in the number of road fatalities,” says Werner De Dobbeleer, spokesperson for VSV. The number of road fatalities dropped to 470 last year, the lowest level ever recorded, indicating a slow trend toward our goal of zero road fatalities by 2050.

Recidivists

Meanwhile, the government wants to punish repeat offenders more quickly. They often avoid harsher sanctions because the police have no insight into administrative fines (GAS). To address this problem, the coalition agreement announced the creation of a database for repeat offenders.

This database should track down and punish recidivists more efficiently by, among other things, combining administrative fines and offenses recorded by the police.

Link between speed and safety

The campaign explicitly emphasizes the link between an adjusted speed and the safety of yourself and other road users. Sticking to the limit not only reduces the risk of an accident but also makes cyclists, pedestrians, children, and the elderly feel safer in traffic.

Why should you obey the speed limit? Because you see more and have more time to react calmly and appropriately to unforeseen situations. A collision at 30 km/h is rarely fatal. However, at 50 km/h, the impact is much greater and the possible injuries worse.

The VSV campaign was launched Thursday morning in Edegem (Antwerp), where children from the municipal primary school Andreas Vesalius applauded passing drivers who kept to the speed limit.

The previous VSV survey dates back to 2019. At that time, 69 and 63 percent of respondents, respectively, indicated they (almost) always adhered to the speed limits in built-up areas and school areas. Now, those figures have risen to 82 percent in both situations.

The risk of being caught has also increased. Almost a third of respondents (29%) received a speeding fine in the last year, compared to 19% in 2019. Surprisingly, this doesn’t lead to misunderstandings; quite the opposite. The number of drivers who understand the importance of enforcing the speed limit has also increased.

However, a minority remains incorrigible: 18% say they do not consistently follow the speed limits in built-up areas or in school areas, and 28% do not do so on highways.

100 km/h on Dutch highways

Meanwhile, the mentality regarding speed has also changed in the Netherlands. When the 100 km/h daytime speed limit (6:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.) was introduced on the highway in March 2020, not everyone was happy about it. Even today, 45% would rather have a speed of 130 km/h. Still, more than half of motorists consider the 100 km/h limit appropriate on the highway, mainly due to environmental concerns, safety, and cost considerations. 

It’s striking, though, that drivers who rarely drive are more likely to be positive; frequent highway users are slightly less so. Compliance is also high: about half say they ‘always” stick to the limit, and about 25% say they ‘often’ comply with the rules.

Significant opposition in Flanders

Today, five years after the measure’s introduction, there is still broad public support for the 100 km/h speed limit on highways, but those who use them intensively would prefer a higher speed limit. Arguments for this include longer travel times and personal preference.

In May 2025, Flemish Climate Minister Melissa Depraetere (Vooruit) advocated for a similar speed reduction to 100 km/h, citing benefits for the climate, safety, fuel consumption, and traffic flow. However, her proposal immediately faced significant opposition.

According to CD&V MP Kris Poelaert, it would be a measure “that people wouldn’t understand” and would be perceived as a “bullying measure,” difficult to comply with, and, therefore, counterproductive.