Belgium Overhauls Highway Code: Warning Triangle Rules Eased

Belgium’s most significant overhaul of traffic regulations in nearly 50 years will take effect on 1 June 2027, bringing sweeping changes for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. The new “Code van de openbare weg” (Highway Code), published in the Belgian Official Gazette on 20 September 2024, replaces the Royal Decree of 1 December 1975 and introduces modernized rules designed to improve road safety, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Warning Triangles: A Safety-Driven Change

One of the most notable changes concerns warning triangles. Under the new code, drivers who break down will no longer be required to place a warning triangle in all situations. Instead, activating all four turn signals (hazard lights) will suffice. The warning triangle is only mandatory when hazard lights are not technically possible.

According to VRT NWS, the change stems from a safety paradox: placing a warning triangle requires walking along the hard shoulder or roadway — often 100 meters behind the vehicle on highways — exposing drivers to passing traffic. Data from the Flemish Agency for Roads and Traffic shows this leads to between 5 and 10 serious or fatal accidents annually in Flanders alone.

Federal Minister of Mobility Jean-Luc Crucke (Les Engagés) confirmed the change in Parliament on 3 June 2026, stating: “When the new Highway Code takes effect, it will suffice to use all turn signals in the event of a defective vehicle.”

Why a New Code?

The old Highway Code dated from 1975 — a time before electric bicycles, e-scooters, shared mobility, and modern sustainability concerns. Over the decades, the code had been amended so many times that it became fragmented and sometimes contradictory. The new code restructures regulations more coherently, organizing rules by user category — pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and others — making them easier to understand.

Key Changes for Drivers

Beyond warning triangles, several other changes affect motorists. Seatbelt rules will be tightened: both the driver and an adult passenger can now be fined if the passenger is not wearing a seatbelt, whereas previously only the passenger was penalized. The use of dipped beams and fog lights becomes mandatory when visibility drops below 100 meters. The long-standing system of bi-monthly alternate-side parking is abolished entirely.

Reflective vests will now be mandatory on all roads with hard shoulders and in tunnels, not just on highways as before. A new rule also bans “tripleren” — overtaking a vehicle that is itself overtaking — when the first vehicle being overtaken is a motorcycle, bicycle, or moped.

New Rules for Cyclists and Pedestrians

Cyclists benefit from several progressive changes. The age limit for cycling on the sidewalk rises from 9 to 11 years. A new sign will indicate where cycle path use is optional rather than mandatory. Cyclists may now pass slow-moving vehicle queues, and a new sign (B22) allows cyclists and speedpedelecs to turn left through red or orange lights. Group sizes are adjusted to a minimum of 10 and maximum of 100 cyclists.

For pedestrians, a minimum passing distance of 1 meter from moving vehicles in built-up areas (1.5 meters outside) is now codified. Diagonal crossing of intersections will be explicitly permitted where a “square green” pedestrian signal is present. When two-wheelers park on sidewalks, 1.5 meters of clear passage must always be maintained.

New Traffic Signs and Inclusivity

The new code introduces eight new danger warning signs, including warnings for soft verges, black ice, fog, horse riders, traffic jams, accidents, rutting, and retractable bollards. Two new symbols — for cargo bikes and shared vehicles — are also introduced, along with a new category of “signs with special regulations” indicating zones with specific speed, overtaking, or parking rules.

In a move toward greater inclusivity, traffic signs will become gender-neutral, and stopping or parking on blind guidance tiles and disabled parking spots is prohibited for bicycles and scooters. The minimum age for using motorized mobility devices (including e-steps) is abolished for persons with limited mobility.

Implementation Timeline

The new code was signed by King Philippe and then-Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo) in June 2024, and published in the Official Gazette on 20 September 2024. Originally planned for 1 September 2026, the effective date was postponed to 1 June 2027. New traffic signs can be introduced gradually until 1 January 2045 — reflecting the typical 10-year lifespan of road signs. During this transition period, old signs retain the same meaning as new ones.

What’s Next

Belgium’s road safety institute VIAS has expressed interest in the Spanish V16 beacon — a compact orange flashing light with GPS that drivers can place on their car roof without leaving the vehicle. Spain made the V16 mandatory from January 2026, replacing warning triangles entirely. VIAS spokesperson Stef Willems noted that the beacon “is cheap and it stands out very well.” However, Minister Crucke wants to await evaluation of the Spanish implementation before considering a similar system for Belgium.

With exactly one year until the new code takes effect, public awareness campaigns will be essential to ensure Belgian road users understand the many changes coming their way.