Torhout (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – An accident on the Rijksweg in Torhout resulted in a man sustaining severe injuries when three vehicles crashed into each other while emergency responders had to cut one of the drivers out of their car. The traffic accident led to a significant portion of the Rijksweg requiring closure for extended periods.
Around 20:00, a multi-car accident took place in the Kortemark border area. A red Renault Clio crashed into the ditch as a result of the collision involving three vehicles. Emergency teams rescued the driver from his vehicle before transporting him to medical care for his serious wounds. Other passengers received medical checks as the medical staff only wanted to examine them.
After the collision, significant debris covered the road area. Emergency personnel spent much time cleaning up the debris before road clearance was possible. The public prosecutor’s office is currently examining the events that resulted in the accident.
What is the recent trend in car accidents in Belgium?
Road safety in Belgium continues to emerge as a major issue because efforts to decrease accidents and fatalities have shown limited success. The total number of car accidents in 2024 across Belgium amounted to 37,699, with 646 fatalities along with about 47,147 injured individuals. Road fatalities have registered a significant decrease despite all efforts to reduce accidents across the country.
During the first six months of 2024, the number of fatal collisions dropped 12% as 198 people lost their lives, while in 2023, there were 226 fatalities during this same period. Combining more speed control cameras and removing safety margins contributes to the decreasing number of road deaths.
The total amount of social losses from road accidents amounts to €10.9 billion each year despite a reduction in deaths. Material costs, medical expenses, and productivity losses constitute the total expense of accidents beyond which human losses remain incalculable.
