Fewer road deaths than ever before in 2013

According to federal mobility minister Melchior Wathelet, the number of road deaths across Belgium in 2013 was 6.5% lower than in 2012, from 672 deaths to 628 – the lowest annual total ever. The number of injuries also fell, from 56,451 to 53,184 – a drop of 5.8%.

The Brussels-Capital Region, unlike the other two regions, registered one death more in 2013 than the 20 registered in 2012. Injuries were down significantly, however, from 4,653 in 2012 to 3,467 in 2013.

Flemish mobility minister Hilde Crevits announced that the drop in the number of road deaths in Flanders last year was “hopeful” but warned there is still much work to be done before the government’s targets are met.

“There have never been fewer fatal road accidents in Flanders, and the number of injuries is the lowest ever,” Crevits said. “But we need to pay constant attention to all those involved in traffic. Our recommendation is for an approach aimed at specific target groups of the most vulnerable road users.”

The national figure for road deaths, meanwhile, is 42% lower than it was a decade ago, but the main causes remain the same now as then: driving too fast and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“This is certainly no reason for euphoria,” commented Karin Genoe of the Belgian Institute for Road Safety (BIVV). “The efforts that have been made by all of those concerned, whether in infrastructure, improvements to vehicles, police checks and information for road users –  those efforts have to be continued.”

The situation is better, Wathelet himself pointed out, but is still grave when compared to neighbouring countries. “In comparison to the Netherlands, for example, it used to be three times [more fatal accidents in Belgium], now it’s two times more,” he told VTM news. “That’s an improvement, but it’s still two times more, and that’s too much.”