Belgian police forces across the country will intensify speed checks during a 24-hour speed control marathon starting Thursday morning, in a renewed effort to reduce traffic accidents linked to reckless driving.
The large-scale operation, coordinated by the federal road police in collaboration with local forces, begins at 6 a.m. on Thursday and runs until the same time on Friday morning. Both mobile patrols and fixed speed cameras will be deployed throughout the country, ensuring that motorists are monitored on major highways as well as regional and local roads.
According to police, speeding remains one of the leading causes of road accidents in Belgium, often resulting in severe injuries and fatalities.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that excessive speed reduces reaction times and worsens the impact of collisions. Despite frequent awareness campaigns, many drivers continue to underestimate the dangers associated with driving above the limit.
“The purpose of this campaign is not simply to punish offenders but to remind all drivers that speed kills,” the federal police said in a statement. “We aim to encourage compliance with speed limits at all times and in all driving conditions.”
This 24-hour marathon is part of a biannual initiative that combines strict enforcement with public awareness. The forthcoming autumn edition follows the spring event held in April, during which a record 1.3 million vehicles were checked within just 24 hours — the highest number ever recorded in Belgium.
Of those checked, around 4% of drivers were caught exceeding the legal speed limits. Interestingly, mobile patrols were more effective at detecting violations, with 8.12% of motorists exceeding the limit, compared to just 1.69% detected by stationary speed cameras.
Police believe that combining both mobile and fixed surveillance methods is the most effective approach. While fixed cameras ensure continuous monitoring in known high-risk zones, mobile patrols introduce unpredictability, compelling drivers to remain cautious regardless of location.
Throughout the marathon, participating police zones will also share real-time updates and results on social media, both to raise awareness and to remind motorists that enforcement operations are ongoing. Authorities hope that the visibility of the campaign will have a long-term deterrent effect on speeding behavior.
The initiative aligns with Belgium’s broader road safety strategy, which aims to significantly reduce the number of traffic-related deaths and injuries by 2030. Experts estimate that consistent compliance with speed limits could prevent hundreds of accidents each year.
For police, the message remains clear — speed limits are not arbitrary, but scientifically determined to ensure the safety of all road users. As the 24-hour speed control marathon gets underway, Belgian authorities are calling on drivers to take responsibility behind the wheel and contribute to safer roads across the country.
