‘Need more’
BRUZZ put it to the test itself in a random street where zone 30 applies. We measure the speed of passing cars in two directions for ten minutes. According to our equipment, of the 46 passing vehicles, 16 were traveling too fast. But due to the tolerance margin of 6 km/h, in practice you will only receive a fine from 37 km/h.
According to Stef Willems, spokesperson for the Vias traffic institute, more is needed. “It is not enough to simply put up a zone 30 sign and think that the numbers will automatically drop. If you make it clear that if you drive too fast you will get a fine, it will ensure that people will adjust their speed.”
Willems also points to the large number of decreased traffic accidents with fatalities and injuries: this was nine percent lower in 2023 than a year earlier. “You are twice as likely to die if a pedestrian is hit at 40 km/h than if the speed is 10 km/h lower. Those ten kilometers per hour may not seem like much to a motorist, but it can make a significant difference .”
However, some caution is required. Due to the corona period, the figures are not always representative for comparison. Although we will have to wait until June for final figures from Statbel.
