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Traffic fatalities up for second year in a row in Belgium
In 2015, there were 755 traffic deaths on Belgian roads, an increase of 4% compared to the previous year, when there were 727 traffic fatalities, writes Het Laatste Nieuws. Several factors played a role in the increase, according to experts, including unusually good weather, the revival of the economy and mobile phone use behind the wheel. The figure is, however, still lower than that of 2011, in line with the same overall downward trend as in the rest of Europe.
According to Werner De Dobbeleer of the Flemish Foundation for Traffic Engineering (VSV), there are several reasons for last year's increase: "Specialists refer to the weather as a major factor in the increase, because there are more pedestrians and cyclists on the road when the weather is nice."
But the economic resurgence in Belgium also plays a role, says De Dobbeleer, because it leads to more cars on the road, and longer distances travelled. “Another factor is the increasing use of smartphones. More and more people call, text or surf the internet while behind the wheel."
Mobility minister Jacqueline Galant has already taken action to bring the number of fatalities back down. "Three weeks ago, we introduced a long list of measures proposed by the Belgian organisation for road safety," she says. "We're aiming for no more than 420 traffic fatalities in Belgium in 2020."
Comments
Not surprising. Lack of an effective police presence on the roads, drivers travelling way over the speed limit, driving too close to the vehicle in front, and use of mobile phones, not to mention drunk driving. When will a points system be introduced for speeding, and phone use? People in danger of losing their license might just think twice before texting another message or driving at reckless speeds.
The level of driving in Belgium is horrific. People seem devoid of even the most basic driving skills and ignore even basic traffic rules (solid or double white/yellow lines mean nothing to Belgian drivers) and they continue their wretched driving in other countries too. I'm surprised there aren't even more fatalities. There will never be 'road safety' as long as Belgian drivers never learn to drive properly and feel that the rules only apply to everyone else, not to them.