Half a million more traffic violations last year, increase entirely in Wallonia and Brussels

The FPS Justice collects figures every year about the traffic violations, fines and official reports. These figures show that the number of violations established in 2024 increased by more than 7 percent, from 6.5 million in 2023 to more than 6.9 million last year. In 2022 the number was still 6.2 million.

With almost 4.4 million, Flanders still takes the crown, accounting for 63 percent of the total. But it is Brussels and especially Wallonia who are responsible for the increase in 2024. In Flanders the number of violations established since 2022 has fallen slightly, while in the Walloon Region they have risen by no less than 44 percent in the same period. In Wallonia, 44 percent more violations were established last year than in 2022, in Brussels it was an increase of 31 percent.

GAS GAS

The explanation for this is Twoërlei, Edward Landsheere of the FPS Justice explains. Wallonia and Brussels are working on a major catch -up movement and have placed many more speed cameras in recent years. Moreover, there were previously wide tolerance margins, which have been phased out in recent years. In Flanders, that phenomenon existed much less. In addition, many Flemish municipalities punish small violations with GAS fines. Brussels and Wallonia do not know that system.

Speed ​​violations, the cause of 1 in 3 road deaths, remain the number 1 traffic infringement. The police automatically handle the most traffic violations – around 93 percent – with an immediate collection, and in 93 percent of those cases there was excessive speed in play.

Camera

The chance of being caught has grown in recent years, the FPS Justice notes. « We reap the benefits of previously made investments such as more route controls, mobile cameras and the close cooperation with police services, » it sounds. For example, the number of violations that has been set by a mobile camera has increased by 10 percent between 2023 and 2024. The abolition of the tolerance margins on the highways also plays a role in the higher chance of being caught.

The same applies to the identification of drivers. About a third of traffic violations are done with a company car, of which around 626,000 are driving around throughout Belgium. Companies that receive a traffic fine must let the court know who was behind the wheel at the time of the violation, otherwise they risk a fine. But in 2022 that only happened in 57 percent of the cases. That increased to around 75 percent in 2023 and 2024.

In the spring of 2023 the penalty letter for companies was adjusted. Since then, it has been clearly warned that companies that do not identify the driver risk a amicable settlement of 500 euros. In addition, the possibility for the company to pay the traffic fine itself, and the driver will receive a separate letter with a payment invitation after the identification.