Hit-and-runs now follow one in four pedestrian accidents in Belgium

A concerning trend has emerged in Belgium, where one in four accidents involving pedestrians now results in a hit-and-run, according to a recent study by the Vias institute. This figure has risen from approximately one in five two years ago. Last year alone, 1,006 pedestrians were victims of hit-and-run incidents, making them proportionally the most affected group. Cyclists are also frequently targeted, with 15% of accidents involving them leading to the driver fleeing the scene. Electric scooter and moped users are also affected, accounting for 15% and 12% of their respective accidents, respectively. In total, 4,814 bodily injury accidents were followed by a hit-and-run in 2025, an increase of nearly 200 cases compared to 2024 and an 8% rise over the past decade. Federal Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke described these figures as "worrying" and stated that combating factors contributing to hit-and-runs will be a priority in the upcoming federal road safety plan. Despite the rising numbers, police and the Belgian common guarantee fund report that offenders are increasingly being identified, with around 85% being apprehended in 2025, up from 78% in 2016. The Vias institute plans to launch a new study to analyze the profile of hit-and-run offenders and understand why their numbers are not decreasing.

“

These figures are worrying.