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Belgium: Radar success or statistical coincidence?
With nearly 400 speed cameras per million inhabitants, Belgium holds the world record for the highest number of speed control devices. Authorities defend this policy, pointing to a sharp drop in road fatalities: deaths on highways fell from 110 in 2019 to 54 in 2024, a 50% decrease in five years. Across the entire road network, fatalities declined by 32%, compared to an EU average of just 13% over the same period.
Experts attribute this progress directly to the large-scale deployment of speed cameras and stricter enforcement. “A section control radar can cut the number of deaths and serious injuries by up to 50%,” note Belgian road safety specialists. Since the removal of tolerance margins in 2022, every speeding violation is automatically punished, creating a climate of constant deterrence — exceeding the limit on Belgian roads has become an immediate risk.
Behavioral studies confirm this trend. According to an Ipsos and Vinci Autoroutes survey, 21% of Belgian drivers say they respect traffic rules mainly out of fear of fines, compared to 14% on average in Europe. In other countries, drivers are more likely to cite personal responsibility or safety awareness. In Belgium, fear of punishment appears to be a stronger motivator than education or prevention.
However, not everyone agrees with this approach. Some associations denounce what they see as a financial strategy, noting that traffic fines generated €577 million in 2024. They argue that radars serve as much to fill state coffers as to improve safety. Authorities counter that 80% of these funds are reinvested in road maintenance, signage, and safety campaigns.
Belgium now reports 37 road deaths per million inhabitants — below the European average but still behind countries like Norway and Denmark, where there are far fewer radars. In those nations, road safety relies more on driver training, infrastructure quality, and responsible behavior. This suggests that safety is the result of multiple factors rather than a single measure.
Still, the timing is striking: the dramatic drop in Belgian road fatalities coincides exactly with the intensification of radar controls. While not the only solution, radars have undoubtedly reshaped driver behavior.
