Brussels issues 1,900 fines under new Low-Emission Zone rules

Brussels has issued approximately 1,890 fines to drivers of polluting vehicles within its Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) since July 1. This follows a period where drivers of newly banned vehicles were issued warnings rather than penalties.

The current restrictions ban diesel vehicles manufactured between 2011 and 2015, as well as petrol vehicles older than 2001. While the rules were introduced earlier this year, the Brussels government implemented a grace period where offenders received warnings before facing the €350 fines that are now being enforced.

In the first half of the year, authorities issued 25,905 warnings. Officials state the primary goal of the LEZ is to improve air quality and public health in the capital, which remains one of the most polluted cities in Europe. Total fines collected to date amount to approximately €89,152, with an estimated 255 fines already paid.