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

  • US drivers got worse during the pandemic
    March 9, 2022
    A new survey reveals bad drivers in the US got worse during the pandemic
    Read More
  • Tackling the UK's traffic congestion
    February 28, 2012
    The biggest problem on UK roads is congestion, and there is no shortage of ideas as to how it should be tackled. Patrick Smith reports. Congestion (and how to relieve it), along with safety, are among the top priorities facing those responsible for looking after the UK's roads. Road pricing, car-share lanes, greener vehicle initiatives and alternative methods of transport such as buses, trams and rail are all part of the approach, but prior to the current economic climate the nation's love affair with the c
    Read More
  • Carry on Movin’ On - Michelin’s mobility event
    October 15, 2018
    Many of the great and the good in the global mobility sector gathered at this year’s Movin’ On event in Montreal. Measured regulation of technologies and safety issues were major themes, reports David Arminas Autonomous vehicles, platooning, smart intersections and safety – these were the talking points over two and half days of the Movin’ On event in Montreal. Everyone in the mobility sector is at the same point, trying to see what mobility will look like in the future. Apparent at the event was just
    Read More
  • Norway’s record breaking undersea road tunnel
    February 25, 2015
    The world's deepest road tunnel is currently in construction near Stavanger in Norway but is only the prelude to even larger projects - report and photographs by Adrian Greeman. Norway's convoluted coastline of fjords and high mountains is famously scenic but also a major problem for transport and connections. The country has long experience of constructing tunnels as a result. Now a series of tunnels underway, or in design, around the oil industry city of Stavanger will stretch its skills more than usual.
    Read More

Highlighted Content