Almost 500 children injured on Brussels roads last year

Last year, 482 children were victims of road accidents in Brussels, the capital’s transport agency Brussels Mobility has revealed, as the start of the new school year gets under way.

Mobility minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) said that the figure was less than in previous years. There were 543 accidents involving minors in 2016, compared to 482 in 2024. During the coronavirus years, the number of injured children was much less, for example 391 in 2020.

Nevertheless, Van den Brandt said that the figure remains “far too high”.

"I want every child to be able to go to school safely, and for every parent to let his or her child leave home with peace of mind," she said.

"That is why we continue to focus on safe streets and school environments. We are repeating to everyone who goes out on the road by car: drive calmly and be careful, in the interest of safety. And pay extra attention, now the school year is starting again."

The data shows that cyclists and pedestrians appeared more in recent statistics on all road accidents. Since 2018-2019, they have taken up a larger share.

Brussels Mobility said that most accidents happened on the way to or from school. With that in mind, it has issued several recommendations and safety rules.

The first is simple – obey the rules of the road. Motorists must adhere to speed limits, give priority to pedestrians and avoid illegal parking.

Pedestrians, meanwhile, must cross at designated crossings and respect traffic lights. The agency also insists that whether behind the wheel or on foot," keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone.

Motorists are further reminded not to park less than five metres from a zebra crossing or on cycle paths, as this obstructs visibility or constitutes an obstacle.

“When there is a child on a scooter or a bicycle, avoid sudden or risky overtaking manoeuvres,” the Brussels agency adds.

In addition, whether travelling by car or bicycle, parents are advised to use a seat suitable for the child’s weight and height and check that younger children are properly secured.

Finally, Brussels Mobility has reminded road users that it is strictly forbidden to ride a scooter with two people.

Brussels is aiming for zero deaths or serious injuries by 2030 under its Road Safety Plan 2021-2030. This lists measures needed to limit the number of road accident victims in the Brussels region, for example installation of better infrastructure and awareness-raising campaigns.

“Road safety is a major challenge. Even if the trend is towards a reduction in the number of people killed on our roads, the toll is still too high,” Brussels Mobility said.

Brussels schools can find tips, games and other materials on road safety on the https://be.brussels/en/transport-mobility/road-safety/learn-stay-safe-ro... section of the Brussels Mobility website.