24-hour speed check catches 30,000 motorists breaking limit

A marathon speed check by police last week saw more than 30,000 drivers caught driving too fast. The total figure of 30,604 drivers represents 2.55% of the approximately 1.2 million cars checked during the nationwide initiative. Police confiscated 181 driving licences.

This is the 12th time the 24-hour speed check has been carried out, involving 133 police zones and the federal traffic police. Drivers were notified of the action in advance and police hope to bring about a change in mentality.

The percentage of drivers caught is slightly lower than the 2.71% caught last year, though only 65 driving licences were confiscated last year.

One driver in the Kampenhout-Steenokkerzeel-Zemst police district was caught driving at 153kph in a 70kph zone, while a motorcyclist in Tielt-Winge was found to be speeding at 194kph.

Too many drivers still ignore speed limits, however, the police say. “Every driver who commits a speeding violation should be aware that they are endangering their own safety and that of other road users,” a spokesperson said.

Photo: Belga/Bruno Fahy