According to the most recent verkeersveiligheidsbarometer of Vias institute is the number of road deaths last year, with 7 percent. There were in 2018, with 35 fatalities in less than a year earlier. Never before was the number of deaths is lower. However, there are some worrying trends such as an increase in the number of deaths in the elderly, motorcyclists and cyclists. Also, the number of bicycle accidents increased in each region.
The number of people killed on the spot dropped last year to 440 compared to 475 in 2017. Never before there were less fatal victims of road accidents on our roads. In 10 years time even with nearly a halving. When the number of dead on the spot should still be the persons can be added up to 30 days after their injury death to the total number of fatalities to know. According to the estimates of Vias institute will be the total number of deaths at about 590 released in 2018, compared with 615 in 2017.
Read also the Father mourn for fatal fall of son (23) with the speed pedelec: “I said to him so often: ‘Turn off however, a helmet is’”
The trend is in other areas less favourable. Both the number of wounded (of 48.314 to 48.541, or +0.5 percent) as the number of accidents (from 37.798 to 38.197, +1.1 percent) rose slightly. the
In the three previous years, there was nevertheless a decrease of the number of accidents.
Only a slight decline in Flanders
Notice is that the number of dead seems to be slowing down in Flanders, with only a slight decrease of 3 percent, from 223 to 217 fatalities. Is also the number of deaths up to 30 days after the accident counted, then Vias of 300 deaths, compared to 302 in 2017.
There was a sharp decline in Wallonia (-13 percent to 207 deaths) and a statistical status quo in Brussels (from 15 to 16 kill).
Strong decrease in Antwerp, the sharp rise in Limburg
The evolution of the number of road deaths varies greatly from province to province in Flanders. In the province of Antwerp, there was a large decline (-23 kill), while in Limburg only province in Flanders, just a lot more fatalities fell (+17 dead).
In East-Flanders (-1), Flemish Brabant (-2) and West Flanders (+3) were the differences compared to 2017 limited. The number of injury accidents rose particularly firmly in the province of Limburg (+8.5 percent) and Antwerp (+5.3 percent).
Deadly year for the two-wheelers
At the national level, there was an increase in the number of fietsdoden (from 40 to 44 dead) and the riders (from 64 to 71 deaths). The increase of the number of fietsdoden we see only in Flanders and Brussels. The increase in the number of motorcyclists that was killed, is only true for Wallonia. The exceptional weather conditions last summer have certainly played a role.
The number of injury accidents increases with moped riders, motorcyclists, and occupants of vans, but especially to the cyclists (+9 percent). That increase we can see both in Flanders (+8.4 percent), in Brussels (+10.9 percent) and in Wallonia (+12,6%).
traffic Fatalities among seniors in a rising line, to -70% in young people
There was also an increase in the number of deaths in the elderly (65 years and older) from 87 to 97. Especially in accidents with trucks were more seniors to the life. There, we noticed a doubling from 12 to 24 fatalities.
A striking positive trend of the verkeersveiligheidsbarometer is the decline by more than 70 percent of the number of deaths in road accidents where a young driver was involved (from 185 in 2009 to 50 in 2018). That is a record low. Also, the number of injury accidents has a favourable trend (of 9.518 to 5.851, or a reduction of 38 percent).
the Objective will not be achieved, Bellot want new states-general
Despite the overall decrease in the number of deaths will set a goal of a maximum of 420 fatalities in 2020 are not met. Therefore, it is the beginning of next year a new States-General organized to take new measures to, says federal minister of Mobility, François Bellot (MR).
“For the third year in a row decreases the number of road fatalities in our country. Since 2014, we recorded a decrease of approximately 20 percent. This positive trend is both the work of awareness as repression. Some measures, such as mandatory alcohol ignition interlock for some offenders have yet to bear fruit. I suggest to the beginning of 2020 a new States-General to organize to new targets for the number of accidents continue to fall, with additional actions for groups at risk.”
Bellot also points to an alarming evolution in the two-wheelers. “I am convinced that the different measures of the new traffic laws which enable us to better protect the vulnerable road users to protect, the situation will improve. Every death is one too many. We need to have our efforts continue, and the population awareness, because we are all involved.”
