Riding through Europe recalls how complex the harmonization of the highway is complex. Motorists are encouraged to proactively learn about the specificities when they leave the territory, in order to avoid dangerous or confused situations. Coming to a common base of rules is not for tomorrow, in this area where Belgium has even managed to introduce a little regionalization.
The horn stroke received left the dazed driver. Engaged in a roundabout, he was convinced that his intentions were clear, but that was without counting These little shades that appear once the border has passed. French motorists use their left turn signal to point out that they stay in the roundabout, before flashing to the right to get out. The Belgian will only make the last step, which can create confusion.
This trivial situation recalls that Rolling abroad can cause his share of mistakes. Road codes across Europe display many nuances, with more or less dangerous consequences in the event of errors. Harmonization of the rules of conduct is however like a distant illusion, despite its positive impact on road safety.
“The ignorance of local rules can obviously be a cause of accident. It puts it driver in a stressful situation in the wheel in the face of certain unknowns. We are talking about the free movement of people, but Europe should ensure that it can be done safely, we are far from it. The lack of harmonization is clearly regrettable, ”points Lorenzo Stefani, spokesperson for Touring.
The organization strongly invites you to Find out about the existing specificities depending on the country crossed. It is also up to date with country files, with several information on the rules in force, as also the European Union via the Your Europe site.
Three -speed Belgium
The most obvious difference in these sheets concerns the maximum speed authorized according to the road infrastructure, but it is accompanied by a pack of others, representing as many risks at the wheel. Even a element as simple as the color of certain panels can have an impact: France has chosen blue to indicate these highways, while green is applying in Belgium, this last color being used for French roads. A certain idea of cacophony.
“Is it desirable to have identical rules everywhere in Europe?” Most certainly. This would greatly simplify cross -border trips and make the roads saferabounds Benoît Godart, spokesperson for the Vias Institute. But there is currently No real discussion to achieve it. It must also be recognized that Belgium would be poorly placed to launch this initiative and demand harmonization, while we have different rules on the road between the country’s regions … “.
Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels thus display different choices, especially in terms of speed. Excluding agglomeration, the 70 km/h is displayed on the Flemish and Brussels signs, while the Walloons climb to 90 km/h. A regionalization on speed, permitted by state reform in 2013, which will soon be followed by a broader modification of the highway code.
And new public road code must indeed come into force the 1is September 2026. This text will replace the current highway code, which dates from 1975. It is even necessary to speak of four codes of the public road, since there will be a federal common base taking up the majority of the rules, completed with the codes of the Walloon, Flemish and Brussels public road. The Flemish and Brussels texts are already published, the Walloon is still waiting. The decree on this point was adopted by the Walloon government on July 17, specifies the cabinet of François Desquesnes (the committed), in charge of mobility.
A digital driving license
Despite these differences, Belgium, therefore federal, is preparing for Digital driving license launch. The document must be available by 2029. This point, which appears in the government agreement, follows the European will to see this document become the privileged form, replacing the paper or plastic permit, by the end of 2030.
This digital permit must in particular allow, in addition to a facilitated renewal of its document without even going to its municipality, a Better follow -up of driversin Belgium and elsewhere on the continent. A driving license motorist would thus be easily identified abroad, while the verification of a physical permit requires more steps. At this stage, the digital permit would remain optional.
“Today, after a conviction by a judge, a citizen must physically hand over his driver’s license to the court. With the electronic withdrawal of the driving license, justice can implement a prohibition to drive more quickly and more effectively. A pilot project will be launched for this purpose, “said the office of the Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden (CD&V).
A step presented as positive for road safety, but also A (small) touch of harmonization on the scale of the European Union. A sign also that the room for maneuver of Europe remains narrow on certain points, despite its desire displayed to make the roads safer.
The small European steps
This digital permit, which follows the introduction in 2013 of the “European” driving license in a bank card format, is accompanied by other initiatives to strengthen the common framework of European rules. These, presented in 2023 and confirmed last March, aim for example to better follow the young drivers, with a probationary period of at least two years during which they will be subject to stricter rules or sanctions, in terms of driving in particular.
A elderly drivers are also mentioned, via medical examinationeven if it would be left to the appreciation of the member states for its exact application. Under these conditions, it is difficult to imagine a stronger push towards a single European highway code, despite the obvious profits. The directives and regulations in road matters are continuing, in small steps.
In terms of authorized speed, parking rules or alcohol tolerance for drivers, countries remain sovereign. Drivers to do the process of inquiringto actively participate in their own safety on the road.
