Main information
- Belgium reclaims deadly road accidents caused by a serious driver’s error in the category of “involuntary homicides”.
- The maximum sentence for this crime is doubled, going from five to ten years.
- The government aims to discourage reckless conduct and keep offenders responsible for their actions.
The Belgian government considerably hardens the sanctions for fatal traffic accidents caused by a serious error of the driver. What was previously called “fatal traffic accident” will now be called “homicide in the context of traffic”, which reflects the gravity of the offense. The maximum sentence for this crime will be doubled, going from five to ten years. This change follows a petition by Nathalie Motte and Rinaldo Pontello, whose 24 -year -old Romanesque daughter was killed in a traffic accident caused by a driver in disregard.
Criminal code changes
The modification of the penal code recognizes that acts resulting in death by serious negligence are not accidental but intentional. Consequently, the term “manslaughter of traffic” will replace “fatal traffic accident”.
While the committee for the reform of criminal law had initially discouraged the use of the term “manslaughter” because it is generally reserved for premeditated murders, the Minister of Justice Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) decided to adopt the term “manslaughter in traffic”, which has become a common expression.
Minister Verlinden stresses that this change sends a strong signal as to the government’s commitment to road safety. It aims to dissuade reckless driving and to keep offenders responsible for the consequences of their actions. The amendment also provides more severe sanctions in the presence of aggravating factors, such as consumption of alcohol or drugs, driving without valid permit or non-compliance with signal lights.
Organizational support
The maximum sentence will now be ten years, against five before, and the fines will drop from 2,000 to 16,000 euros. This change reflects the government’s commitment to do justice to the victims and their families who have undergone immeasurable losses due to reckless conduct.
Organizations like Ouders Van Verongelukte Kinderen (parents of victims of road accidents) welcome this decision and plead in favor of alternative sentences such as road education programs aimed at rehabilitating offenders and promoting safer driving practices.
Alarming statistics on driving driving
Alarming statistics on alcohol -related road accidents highlight the urgency of more severe sanctions. Nearly 4,000 accidents involving drunk drivers will make more than 4,800 victims by 2023, according to the VIAS traffic Institute. This underlines the need to continue efforts to fight against driving and guarantee road safety for all.