PoliceBrussels
Traffic rules
Brussels
71. Police
Police are public authorities responsible for enforcing laws, maintaining public safety and managing situations that may affect road traffic. In traffic, police officers may control vehicles, enforce traffic rules, investigate collisions, direct traffic and respond to emergencies.
Road users must follow lawful instructions given by police officers or other authorised traffic-control personnel. Police directions may temporarily override traffic lights, road signs or normal traffic arrangements, depending on local law.
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Must you obey a police officer directing traffic in Belgium?
Yes. Road users must immediately obey the orders of an authorised person, including police officers acting within their authority.
Do police instructions take priority over Belgian traffic lights and signs?
Yes. Orders from authorised persons take precedence over traffic lights, traffic signs, road markings and the ordinary traffic rules.
What does a Belgian police officer with one arm raised vertically mean?
An arm raised vertically means stop for all road users, except those already within an intersection who must continue sufficiently to clear it.
What do horizontally extended arms mean when police direct Belgian traffic?
A police officer holding one or both arms horizontally extended requires road users approaching from directions that cross the direction indicated by the arms to stop.
What does a police officer waving a red light mean?
A red light waved transversely means that the drivers towards whom the light is directed must stop.
Can Belgian police order you to move a parked vehicle?
Yes. The driver of a stopped or parked vehicle must move it when instructed by an authorised person. If the driver refuses or is absent, the authorised person may arrange for the vehicle to be moved.
Must you show identification to Belgian police after a traffic offence?
Yes. A person over 15 years old must show their identity card or equivalent identification when requested by an authorised person following a road-traffic offence or traffic accident.
Must a Belgian driver carry a driving licence?
Yes. A person driving a motor vehicle for which a driving licence is required must hold the appropriate valid licence and normally carry it while driving so that it can be presented when lawfully required.
Can Belgian police carry out alcohol checks?
Yes. Authorised officers may require drivers and other persons covered by the traffic legislation to undergo the prescribed breath test and, where applicable, breath analysis.
Can Belgian police test drivers for drugs?
Yes. Belgian traffic legislation provides for a procedure involving observations or a checklist followed, where applicable, by a saliva test and saliva analysis.
What should you do when a Belgian police vehicle approaches with its siren?
When the special audible warning announces the approach of a priority vehicle, every road user must immediately make way and give priority. You must stop if necessary.
Do blue flashing lights alone always mean you must stop?
Not by themselves. Priority vehicles use blue flashing lights during urgent missions, while the specific obligation for every road user to immediately clear the way and give priority is linked to the special audible warning.
Can a Belgian priority police vehicle pass a red light?
Yes, during an urgent mission under the applicable conditions. A priority vehicle using its special audible warning may pass a red traffic light at moderate speed provided this does not create danger for other road users.
