Belgium road deaths rise 6% in H1 2026; zero-tolerance alcohol for new drivers planned

Belgian road fatalities increased 6% in the first half of 2026 (223 vs 210), reversing a prior decline, with the rise concentrated in Wallonia. The government announced measures including camera-based phone detection and a future zero-tolerance alcohol limit (0.2‰) for drivers licensed under three years, though no implementation date is set. The trend reversal and regional disparity are notable, but the policy response remains in planning stages.