🚗 This new lidar flashes at 30 km/h in a 50 zone: what’s going on?

🚗 This new lidar flashes at 30 km/h in a 50 zone: what’s going on?

Since the beginning of the week, a new lidar speed camera installed in Tournai has been causing quite a stir.
Many drivers report being flashed at only 30 km/h, even though the posted speed limit on site is 50 km/h.

📍 The lidar on Boulevard Delwart in Tournai

The device has been installed on Boulevard Delwart, between the Imagix cinema and the Europe roundabout, near the Delwart bridge.
This fixed radar — a lidar — monitors vehicle speed in both directions.

However, this section of road is clearly marked as a 50 km/h zone, and there is no school or construction site nearby.
Motorists respecting the limit are understandably surprised to see the camera flash at 30 km/h.

⚠️ A likely technical error

So far, no official communication has been issued by local authorities, but everything suggests a technical malfunction or calibration error.
It’s also possible that the lidar is still in a testing phase, which could explain these false flashes.

In such cases, it is very unlikely that fines will actually be issued until the configuration and calibration of the device are confirmed.

⚖️ What should you do if you’ve been flashed?

If you still receive an immediate collection notice or an official report, here’s what to do:

  • Take a photo of the speed limit sign at the location.

  • Note the date, time, and direction of travel.

  • Do not pay immediately — if the legal limit was indeed 50 km/h, the fine can be contested.

  • Contact me as soon as possible, so I can verify the legality of the control and the conformity of the device.

đź§­ Legal reminder

A speed control is only valid if:

  • the speed limit is clearly indicated,

  • the device is officially approved and properly calibrated,

  • and the control is carried out on a public road open to traffic.

If any of these conditions are not met, the report can be annulled.

đź’ˇ In summary

The new lidar installed on Boulevard Delwart in Tournai appears to be flashing drivers incorrectly who are driving within the legal 50 km/h limit.
The City of Tournai and the local police are expected to clarify the situation in the coming days.

👉 As a lawyer specialized in traffic law, I can assist you in verifying the validity of your report, assessing the legality of the control, and defending your rights if you are affected by this situation.