Belgium to introduce a penalty-points system…well almost

Belgium is considering stricter measures for road safety, with a focus on repeat offenders. While a penalty points system is not being introduced, the newly-formed government aims to severely sanction those who repeatedly violate traffic laws.

Instead of a penalty points system, the government coalition will implement several measures to target repeat offenders. A central database will be established to help police and the justice system identify repeat offenders for serious infractions, such as speeding more than 20 km/h above the speed limit, driving without insurance or a license, driving under the influence, or using electronic devices while driving. This database will also include infractions that fall under municipal administrative sanctions (SAC), primarily speeding offences detected by automated speed checks.

Drivers who commit too many offences within three years will be automatically summoned to appear before a police court. The threshold for appearing in court will be lowered, meaning those frequently caught speeding, using their phone while driving, or driving under the influence will be summoned more quickly. Drivers will receive a warning if they are close to receiving a summons.

In an effort to encourage safer driving, road users will be able to erase their four oldest infractions by completing a road safety course, provided they have not committed any further offences for at least one year. Systematic alcohol checks will be conducted, and individuals caught driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level exceeding 0.8 promille for the second time in three years will be required to install an alcohol interlock device in their vehicle, unless a judge decides otherwise. Those driving under the influence of drugs will automatically lose their license for one month, also subject to judicial discretion.

The government also intends to introduce the concept of “road homicide” into the penal code, as other countries including France and Italy have done.