Vía públicaBruselas
Normas de tráfico
Bruselas
1. Vía pública
Una vía pública es una carretera, calle, camino u otra zona de tráfico abierta al uso público. Puede contener distintas partes destinadas a vehículos de motor, ciclistas, peatones y otros usuarios, como calzadas, vías ciclistas, aceras, arcenes y zonas de estacionamiento.
Distintas partes pueden estar reservadas a determinadas categorías y sujetas a normas diferentes. Todos los usuarios deben respetar las señales, semáforos, marcas y normas de tráfico locales.
What is a public road in Belgium?
In Belgian traffic law, a public road is essentially a road that is open to public traffic. Whether the land itself is publicly or privately owned is not decisive.
Can a privately owned road be a public road in Belgium?
Yes. Belgian case law recognises that a road can be considered a public road when it is open to public traffic, even when it is located on private property.
Is the carriageway the same as the public road in Belgium?
No. The carriageway is only the part of the public road generally intended for vehicle traffic.
Is a Belgian cycle path part of the public road?
Yes. A cycle path is legally defined as a part of the public road reserved for the specified cyclists and other permitted riders. It does not form part of the carriageway.
Is a pavement part of the public road in Belgium?
Yes. A Belgian pavement or trottoir is a part of the public road specifically arranged for pedestrian traffic.
Can a verge form part of a Belgian public road?
Yes. Verges can form part of the public road, and specific rules determine when pedestrians, cyclists or parked vehicles may use them.
Can a parking strip form part of the public road?
Yes. A parking strip is a specific part of the public road alongside the carriageway and is legally distinguished from the carriageway itself.
Is a path considered a public road in Belgium?
Yes, when it satisfies the applicable definition. The Road Code defines a path as a narrow public road that permits pedestrians and vehicles requiring no more width than pedestrians.
Is an earth road a public road in Belgium?
Yes. An earth road is legally defined as a public road wider than a path that is not generally laid out for vehicle traffic.
Does the Belgian Road Code apply to everyone using the public road?
Yes. The Road Code governs use of the public road by pedestrians, vehicles, draught, pack and riding animals and livestock, subject to the specific rules applying to each category.
Must Belgian road users avoid obstructing the public road?
Yes. Road users must behave so that they do not cause danger or obstruction to other road users, road-maintenance personnel, supervision services or priority vehicles.
Can you place objects on a Belgian public road?
You may not place, leave or drop objects or substances on the public road in a way that obstructs traffic or makes it unsafe. Works, containers or other occupations of the public road can also require authorisation and appropriate signalling.
Is a public road the same as a public place in Belgian traffic law?
No. The legal concept of a public place is broader. It includes the public road, areas accessible to the public and certain non-public areas accessible to a specified number of people.
What happens when a driver enters the public road from private property?
Entering the public road from adjoining property is a manoeuvre. The driver performing the manoeuvre must give way to the other road users.
Will the concept of the public road remain important under the new Belgian rules?
Yes. The new Code of the Public Road scheduled to apply from 1 June 2027 continues to organise traffic rules around the different parts of the public road, including carriageways, cycle facilities and pavements.
