In Brussels, a group of individuals referred to as “urban rodeo drivers” have been causing concern for law enforcement. On April 4th, three drivers were arrested, including one repeat offender with 58 prior offenses. While not all of the offenses were related to driving, the fact that the individual had already been disqualified from driving three times made the situation even more alarming.
Another incident occurred on April 10th, when a 35-year-old man intentionally crashed his vehicle into the front door of a police station in Laeken. He claimed to have psychological issues and that his actions were not directed at the police.
The term “urban rodeos” refers to the illegal practice of reckless driving on public roads, including speeding and other inappropriate behavior. This phenomenon has grown in recent years, especially in large cities like Brussels. The alleys bordering the Atomium are often the site of these dangerous shows, which have prompted police intervention to confiscate vehicles and revoke driver’s licenses.
In 2021, residents of the Laekenois district called on the mayor to combat the proliferation of these illegal races in the middle of the night. The police have since implemented a “fighting plan” once morest urban rodeos, seizing several cars and motorcycles.
These dangerous practices are not limited to Brussels, as places like Charleroi and Namur in Wallonia and Waterloo in Flanders have also become known for “urban rodeos.” However, the police find it difficult to quantify, target, and proactively stop this phenomenon. According to the latest figures from the federal police, the number of offenses related to urban rodeos continues to grow, with 1,147 offenses recorded in 2021 alone.
On April 4, three rodeo drivers were arrested by the police in Brussels – among them an individual well known to the courts for 58 acts. However, the alleged offenses are not all related to driving, but the situation calls out in spite of everything, especially since the driver, a repeat offender, was wanted by the police who had to notify him of no less than three driving license disqualifications.
On Sunday, a 35-year-old man voluntarily crashed into the front door of a police station in Laeken (Brussels). After driving in the parking lot of the establishment, the individual backed up, deliberately hitting the door of the building. The prosecution explained on Monday that according to his statements, the individual has psychological problems and his actions were not directed once morest the police.
These two acts are not related, but they are likened to what are called “urban rodeos”.
Flashed at 100 km/h in zone 30
Full-throttle skids, squealing tires, unlimited speed and, occasionally, loud music: that’s how we can sum up what an “urban rodeo” is all regarding. The cocktail of speed and inappropriate behavior on public roads – illegal practices – has grown over the years, especially in large cities, but not only.
In Brussels, it is the alleys that border the Atomium that are famous for these “shows” on two or four wheels. It is also not uncommon for the police to have to intervene (to stop cars flashing at 100km/h in zone 30 or zone 50), confiscating vehicles and withdrawing drivers’ licenses from speeders. The phenomenon has taken on such proportions that in 2021, residents of the Laekenois district called on the mayor of the City of Brussels, Philippe Close (PS), to denounce the proliferation of wild races in the middle of the night. Speed cushions have been placed at the foot of the Atomium to avoid urban rodeos.
In July 2021, the Brussels-West police decided to put in place a sort of “fighting plan” once morest urban rodeos. Several large cars, as well as motorcycles have also been seized since.
In Wallonia, there are places well known to rodeo drivers. This is the case in Charleroi where the Jumet zoning is considered the favorite playground of these speeders, or in Namur, near the Citadel. Waterloo – especially its car parks and supermarkets located there – is not spared either.
A man rushes into a police station in Brussels: the prosecution gives new details regarding the individual
In Flanders too, the “crazy drivers” are legion. Thus, a young motorist who was filming himself in action was arrested in Mol in December 2021 following having published his “shows” on social networks, which moreover tend to encourage these practices.
Problem: the police do not know how to go regarding putting a stop to such a phenomenon. At issue: a problem that is difficult to quantify, target and counter proactively. The police therefore intervene followingwards.
And according to the latest figures from the federal police on the matter quoted by the DH, the number of offenses continues to grow: 872 in 2019, 972 in 2020 and 1,147 in 2021. In the Brussels Capital Ixelles area alone, between May 2020 and July 2022, 98 vehicles, including 16 motorcycles/scooters, were intercepted. The police then carried out 82 administrative seizures, 13 judicial seizures and 3 license withdrawals.
The phenomenon of urban rodeos is a dangerous and illegal practice that continues to trouble many cities in Belgium, and law enforcement is struggling to put a stop to it. Despite efforts by police to seize vehicles and withdraw licenses from speeders, the number of offenses continues to grow. As more and more of these dangerous acts are taking place on public roads, it is imperative for authorities to find ways to proactively counter them. Until then, residents of affected areas must remain vigilant and report any incidents they witness to help protect their communities from the dangers of urban rodeos.
