Drinking and driving remains a significant concern for Belgian drivers, according to recent data. The Vias Institute highlights that Belgium still ranks among the lowest performers in Europe when it comes to alcohol-impaired driving. These findings come from the large-scale European ESRA study, released on 2025-06-08 13:30:00, shedding light on this ongoing issue.
- Belgian drivers rank poorly in Europe
- 19% drove possibly over alcohol limit
- European average for drunk driving is 12%
- Belgium ranks second worst after Luxembourg
- Poland has lowest drunk driving rate
- Vias Institute highlights drinking and driving issues
The report reveals that 19% of Belgian drivers admitted to driving in the past month after possibly exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit of 0.5 promille. This percentage is notably higher than the European average of 12%, placing Belgium second worst in the EU, just behind Luxembourg. How can Belgian road safety improve when such a high number of drivers take this risk?
Understanding Belgium’s position in this ranking helps frame the urgency of tackling drinking and driving effectively. What measures can authorities and drivers take to reverse this trend? The following fast answer provides a clear summary of the situation.
Why does Belgium lag behind in controlling drinking and driving? Several factors may contribute:
- Limited enforcement or perceived low risk of being caught
- Cultural attitudes towards alcohol consumption and driving
- Insufficient public awareness campaigns targeting risky behaviour
Addressing these points is essential for improving road safety and reducing alcohol-related accidents.
Moving forward, Belgium must strengthen enforcement, enhance education, and promote responsible driving. Only by changing attitudes and behaviours can Belgium hope to join the safer ranks of European countries like Poland, where only 4% admit to similar risks.
