The transport sector in Brussels continues to face a persistent problem: a large number of vehicles do not comply with the rules.
Large-scale checks in 2024, organised by Brussels Mobility in collaboration with the police, show that no less than 30 percent of the vehicles checked were in violation. This raises questions about safety on Brussels roads and competition in the transport sector. Four large-scale checks were carried out in the past year, spread across the city.
The action began in Oudergem, followed by checks in Laken and Neder-Over-Heembeek, with the final inspection on 3 December in Woluwe. A total of 450 vehicles were examined. The result: 135 vehicles were found to be in violation, ranging from minor errors to serious violations with serious consequences for road safety.
specialized unit
The checks were led by the Regional Control Unit for the Operation of Road Traffic and Transport (GCEV). This unit of Brussels Mobility specialises in enforcing transport regulations and has a judicial police mandate. The team works closely with the federal and local police and other authorities such as Customs and Excise, the Federal Food Agency (FASFC) and the Regional Labour Inspectorate. Together, they thoroughly examine lorries, vans, taxis and other vehicles.
The list of violations is long and varied. Common minor errors include an expired technical inspection or the lack of essential safety accessories. But the checks also revealed more serious issues, such as vehicles overloaded by more than 70 percent, unsafely secured loads, invalid insurance, and ignoring driving and rest times. In a few cases, drivers were caught driving under the influence or offering taxi services without a license.
According to Olivier Van Craenenbroek, head of the GCEV, these violations have far-reaching consequences. “These violations undermine road safety for everyone, worsen the working conditions of drivers and create unfair competition in the sector,” he says. “The transport sector needs to be more strictly regulated to tackle these problems.”
The figures are alarming, especially considering that Brussels is increasingly focusing on safer and more efficient mobility. The European capital has been struggling with problems around traffic congestion and road safety for some time now. The results of these checks confirm that there is still a lot of work to be done to tackle these challenges.
the future
Brussels Mobility sees the 2024 results as a wake-up call and has announced that it will carry out more checks in 2025 and increase awareness among transport professionals. By taking stricter action against violations and launching targeted campaigns, the organisation hopes to drastically reduce the number of violations.
The call to action is clear: the safety of all road users depends on a fair and regulated transport sector. The focus is not only on penalties, but also on promoting a culture of compliance within the sector, paving the way for safer and fairer road transport in Brussels.