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Belgium

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  • November 4, 2014 at 3:57 pm #22682
    OldRidgeback

    There was a discussion about Belgium and its road safety record recently. I commented how dangerous the country is compared with its neighbours. One poster from Belgium, I forget his name, said this was not true. Here is an article from the Belgian press backing up what I said.

    In the period from 2009 to 2013, the number of fatal accidents on Belgian motorways reached 521, resulting in 582 deaths. The number of deaths for every 100 km of motorway is three times higher in Belgium than in France and two times higher than in the Netherlands. The Belgian motorways with the highest numbers of deaths are the A11 between Antwerp and Assenede and the Antwerp ring road. The motorways with the lowest numbers are the Ghent ring road and A602 through Liege. The number of fatal accidents reached 269 in Flanders and 247 in Wallonia.

    Belgium has a terrible road safety record. I do go there regularly for work. I would not feel confident to cycle on Belgian roads.

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  • November 4, 2014 at 7:01 pm #819897
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    Anonymous

    I’d like to read the article
    I’d like to read the article but don’t feel inclined to spend ages finding it – link anyone?

    From my experience, cycling in Belgium is certainly more agreeable than the UK, more respect for cyclists for sure, not to mention a more elaborate cycling network.

    No doubt statistical analysis will be a tricky one to fairly take account of the very dense network of roads, the high population density and the fact that the road network in Belgium services a huge volume of traffic criss crossing Europe, including the UK.

    November 4, 2014 at 6:52 pm #819895
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    OldRidgeback

    I don’t cycle on motorways
    I don’t cycle on motorways either. It’s illegal. But what the article highlights is how Belgium has dangerous roads. There is plenty of research showing how dangerous Belgium’s road network is and how high the rate of fatalities is. The rate of drink driving offences is far higher in Belgium than in the Netherlands or France. Moreover, penalties for offenders are far lower, which I believe is a part of the problem.

    But I can’t make anyone accept the truth if they’re not willing to listen.

    November 4, 2014 at 6:39 pm #819893
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    ajmarshal1

    It references motorways.
    It references motorways. Don’t ride on motorways. I’ve ridden in Belgium extensively and find it no better or worse than France, Spain, Holland, Luxembourg or even Italy.

    I personally find all the above countries safer and the drivers more cycle aware than the UK.

    November 4, 2014 at 6:07 pm #819891
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    OldRidgeback

    It was from Le Soir de
    It was from Le Soir de Bruxelles, 31st Oct.

    November 4, 2014 at 4:15 pm #819889
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    Anonymous

    Care to reference the
    Care to reference the article?

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