Speed limit on most of Brussels ring road to come down to 100

The maximum speed on the section of the ring road around Brussels (R0) that is situated in Flanders will be 100 km/hr starting on 1 September. That speed will replace all sections of the R0 where the speed limit is currently 120.

The measure, planned in discussion with Brussels authorities, was part of the Flemish Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030 that was approved late last year. The R0 takes in all three regions in Belgium, but more than two-thirds of it is in Flanders. The sections of the R0 in Flanders where the speed limit is 90 km/hr will not change.

“A reduction of the speed limit to 100 km/hr on the R0 will have a positive impact on the level of CO2 emissions and the local air quality,” said Flemish mobility minister Lydia Peeters. Brussels mobility minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) agrees and said that she will work on the same reduction of speed on the 5.5-kilometre section that is in the Brussels region. Wallonia’s mobility minister responded positively but the issue has not yet been discussed in his region.

A study carried out in 2015 also concluded that a reduction in the speed limit would lead to fewer accidents on the congested motorway. It is also expected that traffic will flow more smoothly at the R0’s many on- and off-ramps.

Erik Grietens of environment organisation Bond Beter Leefmilieu told De Standaard that he was in favour of the move, which he called “important, symbolically”. While supportive of speed limits being reduced because of the impact on pollution, he says the impact will be “very limited” because “it’s only the Brussels ring and not the other motorways”. And, he said, “how often can anyone actually drive 120 km/hr on the Brussels ring road?”