In the first eight months of the year, the government has already recovered almost €28 million in unpaid traffic fines through wage garnishments or contributions. This is double the amount recovered in 2022, Het Nieuwsblad reported on Friday. If the trend continues, revenue from these fines could even triple in a year.
Since this year, the government has been able to seize unpaid fines more quickly. If an offending driver repeatedly refuses to pay, it is no longer necessary to refer them to the police court. The FPS Justice can send a payment order and the FPS Finance is authorised to recover the amount via a wage attachment or tax notice. If necessary, a bailiff can also be appointed.
In 2022, road fines brought in a record €543 million euros, 10% more than the previous year. This record should be smashed this year thanks to payment orders. Based on the first eight months of the year, the government is on track to collect €550 million from road fines.
Traffic fines are a major source of revenue for the Belgian government. Over a full year (excluding the pandemic), more than €500 million will go into the government's coffers. Quite a sum when you consider that total federal revenue is around €80 billion a year.
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In the coming months and years, the Belgian State is expected to earn even more from fines. On the one hand, because the number of speed cameras and roadside cameras will increase but also because the price of fines is constantly rising.
The authorities maintain that speed checks are not there to make citizens pay but to raise awareness and increase the safety of road users. Indeed, they often point to the fact that the public themselves are calling for more speed checks, particularly at dangerous locations.
Most of the revenue from fines goes back to the Federal Government, which pays a substantial proportion into what is known as the road safety fund.
