Police launch 25th speed marathon nationwide

Belgian police are launching their 25th national speed enforcement marathon, a 24-hour operation aimed at curbing excessive speeding. The event began Saturday morning and will continue until Sunday morning, employing both mobile and fixed speed cameras across the country.

This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to address speeding, identified as a primary cause of traffic accidents. The previous marathon in April saw 1,361,657 drivers checked, with 3.28% found to be exceeding the speed limit. That operation resulted in 55 driver's licenses being suspended.

Authorities are also highlighting a broader European context for speed enforcement. Between August 3 and 9, more than 20 European countries will participate in a joint action against speeding. This coordinated effort underscores the cross-border concern regarding dangerous driving speeds.

Recent analysis from the Vias traffic institute reveals persistent issues with speed limit adherence, particularly in 30 km/h zones. The analysis indicated that nearly two-thirds of drivers in these zones travel at speeds that would warrant a fine, with an average speed of 41 km/h. The problem is more pronounced in Wallonia, where 83% of drivers exceed the limit in such zones, compared to half of drivers in Flanders.