A bill before the Council of Ministers will change the term “accident” to “manslaughter”, depending on what led to a traffic death
Federal justice minister Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) has submitted a bill to change the terminology around deaths caused by traffic violations. The use of the term “manslaughter” will lead to longer prison sentences and heftier fines.
Currently in Belgium, anyone convicted of “causing a deadly traffic accident” receives a maximum prison sentence of five years and a maximum fine of €10,000. This is the case regardless of the reasons behind the accident.
We want to drive home the message to repeat offenders who still don’t seem to grasp the consequences of their reckless behaviour
Minister Annelies Verlinden
The terminology will now be verkeersdoodslag, or vehicular manslaughter. “We want to drive home the message to all road users, but particularly the repeat offenders who still don’t seem to grasp the consequences of their reckless driving behaviour,” said Verlinden.
She emphasised that the new terminology better reflects the reality of some situations, sending a message to victims’ loved ones that the justice system sees the death as manslaughter rather than an “accident”.
The term manslaughter also allows for tougher punishments. If the driver caused a death while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, running a red light or driving without a license, the maximum sentence rises to 10 years and to €16,000 in fines.