Study reveals paradox in Belgian attitudes to speeding

We’ve always known that Belgians love beer, waffles and fries. But recently we discovered that there’s something else that sets their hearts on fire. "Belgians are in love with their gas pedals," according to the Gazet van Antwerpen.

The newspaper was reporting on the annual survey by the Belgian Institute for Road Safety, which turned up some baffling figures.

Some 79% of Belgians find that speeding is a problem in his or her neighbourhood. But 72% admitted that they sometimes break the speed limit, even in urban areas.

"We think that speeding is really bad," De Morgen explained. "And yet we don’t want too many speed checks."

It seems that Belgians are quite selective in the rules they choose to obey. Fewer than 5% believe it is acceptable to hold a phone while driving – or to drive under the influence of alcohol. Whereas 29% find it perfectly acceptable to drive 10 kilometres over the speed limit.

De Morgen called on an eminent Dutch traffic psychologist to explain this bizarre behaviour. According to Gerard Tertoolen there are two explanations for this paradox. "The first is thinking we are better than we are. We can drive fast, others can’t," he explained.

The second explanation is what psychologists call external attribution. "If it goes well then we see ourselves as responsible. But if it goes badly, then we blame others."

Meanwhile, Willy Miermans, a traffic expert at Hasselt University, had his own observation to make. "We Belgians are flexible people. Whether you’re talking about speeding, taxes or alcohol: we can bend the rules."

It looks like the Belgian love affair with the accelerator pedal is more than just a one-night stand.

Photo: Ingimage