Support for speed limits rising but minority still defy rules
The number of drivers who say they almost always pay attention to their speed has risen significantly in recent years, but a minority still fails to consistently follow the rules. The findings come from a survey by the Flemish road safety foundation VSV, which has launched a new campaign, supported by schoolchildren.
The message from VSV is straightforward: speed limits exist to protect lives. “If everyone adheres to the speed limits, we make our roads safer for every road user,” said Flemish Mobility minister Annick De Ridder of N-VA.
“That's exactly what we're aiming for together: fewer casualties and greater road safety in Flanders.”
The last survey, conducted in 2019, showed that 69 per cent of respondents then said they always or almost always respected the speed limits in built-up areas, while 63 per cent did so in school areas. These figures have risen to 82 per cent in both cases.
This increase is likely linked to the greater risk of being caught. In 2024, 29 per cent of drivers surveyed said they had received a speeding fine, compared with 19 per cent in 2019. At the same time, more drivers now agree that obeying the limit helps them notice what is happening on the road more quickly and reduces the risk of accidents.
"That's exactly what we're aiming for together: fewer casualties and greater road safety in Flanders"
Still, a minority remains inflexible: 18 per cent admit they do not consistently follow the limits in built-up or school areas, while 28 per cent say the same about motorways. Those who regularly drive too fast also tend to question the usefulness of speed limits more often.
De Ridder said that the rules must be reasonable: “This way, we make the rules more credible.”
Safer in traffic
The Your Speed, My Safety campaign explicitly links speed with the safety of all road users. Respecting the limit not only reduces the risk of accidents but also makes cyclists, pedestrians, children and older people feel safer in traffic, according to VSV. In the coming weeks, the campaign will be visible along roadsides, on social media and at petrol stations.
More than 4 million speeding fines are issued in Flanders every year. From September, drivers caught speeding will receive a cover letter with their ticket featuring the campaign message and image.
"We are emphasising that speed limits are not just there for the sake of it, but for safety"
“With this campaign, we are emphasising that speed limits are not just there for the sake of it, but for safety,” said Werner De Dobbeleer of VSV. “The campaign launches in September this year, and that's why we chose a child going to school as the image - perhaps the best reason anyone can have to obey the speed limit.”
The campaign was launched on Thursday in Edegem, where children from the Andreas Vesalius municipal primary school applauded passing drivers who kept within the limit.
“It's important that we raise awareness of this issue at the start of the new school year,” said Edegem mayor Koen Metsu of N-VA.
#FlandersNewsService | Illustration © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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