Driver not maintaining proper distance is a conclusion as shared by the cyclist family from their privately hired traffic expert. 4 months after closing the case the police expert ruled the car driver not at fault. Both are circumspect.

In Belgium distance to the bicyclist when overtaking is codified as being 1m within a built up area and 1.5m outside built up areas. In the Netherlands this is just defined as overtaking needing to be done safely. I doubt this rule is observed and penalized much in Belgium. According to the hired expert if proper distance was observed in the overtaking the front wheel would still be clipped. No clue about how much cannabis use and effects on reaction time would have changed the situation.

A tragedy which is not clear cut. As such, should have been in the courts hands or handled within time limits by the police. Now the family is filled with uncertainty, kept out of the loop, denied closure, trying to pursue the matter themselves, and getting sued? That’s a sad comment on Belgian policing if I’ve ever written one.