40% of road accidents on weekend nights are linked to alcohol or drugs

Mobility newsletter November 2024

What's new in mobility land? At the start of each month, we share the latest news related to all things mobility in our mobility newsletter.

In the news 📰

From December 1, new tire inspection rules will apply in Flanders, introducing changes that have raised safety concerns. The most notable adjustment allows different types of tires on the same axle, as long as they share the same size and structure, but not necessarily the same load or speed ratings. Critics warn this could lead to mismatched grip, increasing the risk of accidents, especially in wet conditions. Additionally, inspections will be stricter on tire wear, with a ban on vehicles with tread depth below 1.6 mm. Meanwhile, the speed index requirement will be capped at 160 km/h, reflecting legal speed limits in the region. Source

The new Flemish mobility minister, Annick De Ridder, has written her policy note for her reign. With a total investment in infrastructure of €3.2 billion, including "smart charging hubs" for electric vehicles in urban areas. These hubs will use spaces like supermarket parking lots to address challenges for city residents without private chargers. Solutions for shared charging in apartment buildings are also being developed. Public transport will also see upgrades with €400 million allocated for new electric buses and trams, and De Lijn gaining autonomy over ticket pricing from 2025. Measures to combat aggression toward transit staff include body cams and stricter enforcement.

Mobility facts 🧮

According to a reportage by Pano, more than 40 per cent of road accidents on weekend nights in Belgium are linked to alcohol or drugs. In recent years, these accidents have even increased slightly to 12 accidents per weekend. In contrast, hardly any controls take place at these times. Large differences exist between regions, with WestFlanders being the outlier, where almost half of accidents during weekend nights are alcohol-related. There is a lack of central registration and transparency about the number of checks, which makes a targeted approach difficult. Experts call for more checks at risk moments and a data-driven strategy to improve road safety.

Did you know❓

Wallonia introduces a new traffic sign starting November 29, 2024, aimed at adding flexibility to 30 km/h zones in urban construction sites. The sign includes a blue panel indicating specific times or days when the speed limit applies, such as during active work hours, improving traffic flow outside those periods.These changes apply only to construction zones within 50 km/h areas. Source

Traffic congestion on Flemish highways reached record levels between November 2023 and October 2024, averaging 928 kilometer-hours per workday, according to Statistics Flanders. This marks the highest congestion ever recorded, continuing arising trend