National speed check marathon planned for Friday

The second national marathon of speed checks this year will go ahead as planned tomorrow, but in a drastically reduced form compared to the previous action, according to police unions. “The federal traffic police are on strike, and only half of the police zones will take part,” a union representative said. “It won’t be a marathon, more of a short foot race.”

The first marathon took place on April 17 and was considered a resounding success, with 400,000 cars checked and more than 20,000 speeding tickets issues. That was before the Constitutional Court struck down a law allowing police officers to retire earlier (at age 62) than other workers, ruling it was discriminatory. Police have protested against the ruling by taking to the streets, staging a one-day strike last month and by observing a fine-free week in which minor offences were not prosecuted.

Police unions then threatened to boycott the speed marathon on October 10. But “100 police zones have confirmed their co-operation,” said police spokesperson Michael Jonniaux. The country has 194 zones in total.

The 24-hour marathon begins on Friday morning at 6.00.

photo courtesy Het Nieuwsblad