Belgium road crashes increase around road works

There has been an increase in the number of road crashes in Belgium around work zone sites. This problem has been identified by Belgium’s traffic safety institute, VIAS. In 2014 there were 588 road crashes around road work zones in Belgium. However the data shows that in 2016, there were 764 crashes around work zone areas. An increase in the number of road repair jobs is thought to be a factor in this jump in crashes in work zones. Of note is that comparatively few of the crashes occur on major highway rout
May 16, 2018 Read time: 2 mins
There has been an increase in the number of road crashes in Belgium around work zone sites. This problem has been identified by Belgium’s traffic safety institute, VIAS. In 2014 there were 588 road crashes around road work zones in Belgium. However the data shows that in 2016, there were 764 crashes around work zone areas. An increase in the number of road repair jobs is thought to be a factor in this jump in crashes in work zones. Of note is that comparatively few of the crashes occur on major highway routes. This is thought to be because highway work zones are better signposted and also feature less complex traffic flow conditions, with vehicles imply having to slow down rather than negotiate junctions.


Overall though, Belgium’s road safety standards are still of concern. The country has the highest risk of road crashes of any western European nations, with an annual road fatality risk rate nearly twice as high as that of its immediate neighbour, the Netherlands. Low levels of enforcement and insufficient penalties for offenders are thought to be part of the problem. And Belgium’s cities also have heavy congestion levels.

Maintenance

Related Content

  • Research shows male drivers more likely to overtake rashly
    July 1, 2013
    A new survey carried out in the UK reveals that male drivers are more likely to risk lives by overtaking blind and speeding on rural roads. As a result male drivers are being urged to be more careful. The survey was carried out jointly by safety body Brake and insurance firm Direct Line. The data reveals that 24% of drivers risk catastrophic head-on crashes by overtaking blind, while 44% admit speeding at over the national speed limit of 96km/h (60mph) on rural roads. Men are much more likely to take these
    Read More
  • A variety of measures will increase demand for electric vehicles
    April 2, 2013
    A wide array of measures is being used around the world to encourage customers to buy electric vehicles. Customers are still proving reluctant in many markets to buy electric vehicles, with range concerns and purchase costs amongst the key. Nissan reports that sales of its sophisticated Leaf model (developed jointly with its partner Renault) have been sluggish in Europe, despite glowing reviews in various motoring magazines. In the UK one leading thinktank, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), h
    Read More
  • Fatalities increased on US roads during 2012
    July 5, 2013
    Cause for concern comes from the US where the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency (NHTSA) has revealed an increase in road fatalities during 2012. The NHTSA’s statistical projection of traffic fatalities suggests that 34,080 people died in vehicle traffic crashes in 2012, an increase of about 5.3% over the 32,367 killed in 2011.
    Read More
  • The importance of road maintenance
    July 15, 2015
    Gülay Malkoc discusses the importance of investing in road maintenance.
    Read More

Highlighted Content