As a pedestrian, can I cross the road wherever I want?
In short
Only under certain conditions. If there is a pedestrian crossing within about 20 metres, you must use it. You may not step into the road when the pedestrian light is red, and you must give way to trams.
Video transcript
You want to cross the road. The pedestrian crossing is a bit further on, and the light is red. It depends: If there's a pedestrian crossing within about 20 metres, you must use it. Stepping out at a red light is an offence. The right way: Go to the crossing, wait for green, cross straight over. Always give way to trams. Traffic fine: Crossing on red: 64 €; Not giving way to tram: 128 €; In court: 100 € – 2.500 €.
What is not allowed, what is required?
- If there is a pavement, use it. If there is no pavement or verge and you have to walk in the road, keep to the edge and, as a rule, walk on the left-hand side, facing oncoming traffic.
- If there is a pedestrian crossing (oversteekplaats / passage pour piétons) within about 20 m, use it. Cross straight over, without lingering.
- If there is a pedestrian light, only step into the road when the light allows it. Crossing on red is an offence.
- Always give way to trams. At a pedestrian crossing that runs over tram tracks, do not step onto the crossing when a tram is approaching and the light does not allow it.
- If there are no lights and no police officer directing traffic, step into the road carefully, taking approaching vehicles into account.
Penalty and indirect consequences
- Fine / payment
- Stepping into the road when the pedestrian light is red is a 1st-degree offence: on-the-spot fine of 64 €. Not giving way to a tram is a 2nd-degree offence: 128 €.
Legal basis:KB 30.9.2005, art. 2-4 + Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 §2 (Justel)KB 30.9.2005, art. 2, a), 7° (Justel)
- Court / prison
- No prison sentence. If the case goes to the police court, the fine for a 1st-degree offence can be about 100 € – 2.500 €.
Legal basis:Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 (Justel)Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 + KB 30.9.2005 (Justel)
What does this level mean? Traffic offence, degree 1: On-the-spot payment €64; in court €100 – €2,500. All penalty levels →
What really matters: the indirect consequences
- In an accident involving a motor vehicle, the vehicle's insurance generally pays for the pedestrian's personal injuries; anyone over 14 who deliberately caused the accident and its consequences loses this protection
Legal basis:WAM-wet 21.11.1989, art. 29bis §1 (Justel)
- For damage to belongings and property, a pedestrian who was at fault can be asked to pay compensation
Legal basis:WAM-wet 21.11.1989, art. 29bis §1 (Justel)
- You set an example for children; if you cross on red with your child, they will learn to do the same
What do these terms mean?
- On-the-spot payment
- A fixed amount offered by the police. If you pay, the case is closed and does not go to court. If not, the prosecutor takes over; the amount can rise and the case can go to court.
- Police court
- The court for traffic offences and appeals against GAS fines. Despite the name, it is not part of the police; an independent judge decides.
Why does this rule exist?
Drivers mostly expect pedestrians at crossings. A pedestrian who steps into the road away from a crossing, or on red, can be hit by a vehicle that cannot stop in time. And a tram cannot stop quickly because of its long braking distance.
Where can you go?
- Municipal driving licence serviceExchanging a foreign driving licence and other licence matters
- Free first-line legal adviceIf you have been summoned to the police court (juridische eerstelijnsbijstand / aide juridique de première ligne)
- Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.
This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses
Source and reliability
Official source- Source check
- 13 / 13 statements in an official source
- Checked: 12.10.2026
- Last checked
- 12.10.2026
- Rules can change
Show the 13 checked statementsopen
- Found in an official source
Yaya kaldırımı kullanır; yolda kenara yakın ve gidiş yönüne göre solda yürür
Verkeersreglement art. 42.1 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Yaklaşık 20 m içinde geçit varsa kullanılır; dik açıyla, oyalanmadan geçilir
Verkeersreglement art. 42.4.1 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Yaya ışığı izin vermedikçe yola çıkılmaz
Verkeersreglement art. 42.4.2 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Tramvaya öncelik; tramvay yolu geçen geçide tramvay yaklaşırken çıkılmaz
Verkeersreglement art. 12.1 ve 42.4.6 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Işık/polis yoksa dikkatle ve araçları hesaba katarak çıkılır
Verkeersreglement art. 42.4.4 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Art. 42.4.2 2./3./4. derece listelerinde yok → 1. derece
KB 30.9.2005, art. 2-4 + Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 §2 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Spoorvoertuigen'e yol vermemek (art. 12.1, 'elke weggebruiker') 2. derece
KB 30.9.2005, art. 2, a), 7° (Justel) - Found in an official source
1. derece 64 €
FOD Mobiliteit – Onmiddellijke inningen: verhoging 1.7.2026 - Found in an official source
2. derece anında ödeme 128 € (1 Temmuz 2026'dan beri)
FOD Mobiliteit – Onmiddellijke inningen: verhoging 1.7.2026 - Found in an official source
1. derece mahkeme para cezası kanunda 80–2.000 €
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Kanundaki tutar 1,25 ile çarpılır (2,5 ek ondalık) → 100–2.500 €
Wegverkeerswet 16.3.1968, art. 29 + KB 30.9.2005 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Bedensel zarar sigortadan; 14 yaş üstü ve kazayı isteyerek yaratan hariç
WAM-wet 21.11.1989, art. 29bis §1 (Justel) - Found in an official source
Maddi hasar 29bis kapsamı dışında
WAM-wet 21.11.1989, art. 29bis §1 (Justel)
The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.
General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?