Belgium records lowest ever road deaths in 2025

The number of people killed in road accidents in Belgium fell slightly in 2025 to the lowest level ever recorded, according to the traffic institute Vias.

Police data shows that 445 people died on Belgian roads in 2025, a 2.2% decrease compared with 2024.

In Flanders, road deaths dropped to 234, which is 14 fewer than the previous year (down 6%). Wallonia also saw a small decline, from 197 deaths to 191 (down 3%). However, the trend was worse in Brussels, where fatalities doubled from 10 to 20, the highest number since 2022.

At national level, deaths among pedestrians fell from 70 to 52, the lowest figure ever recorded. Fatalities also declined among cyclists (from 86 to 79) and car occupants (from 198 to 191).

However, deaths involving electric scooters rose sharply, increasing from 4 in 2024 to 13 in 2025.

Despite the drop in deaths, the number of injury accidents increased by 2.9%, reaching 36,621 incidents last year. According to Vias, this suggests that accidents are becoming less severe. In 2016, there were about 16 deaths per 1,000 injury accidents, compared with 12 in 2025.

Vias said this may be because accidents often happen at lower speeds, which reduces the impact. Lower speed limits, stronger enforcement and driver-assistance systems in cars may all be contributing factors.

The institute said further action is still needed to ensure a long-term reduction in road deaths. It supports stricter penalties for drink driving and using a mobile phone while driving, and also called for a targeted approach to deal with repeat traffic offenders, as outlined in the federal government’s coalition agreement.

^{© BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS}