Lommel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Police in Lommel monitored 500 vehicles on the N74; 45% were speeding. Police Chief Bart Voordeckers and Vias expert Stef Willems warned that sudden speed drops cause safety risks.
As VRT News reported, Police in Lommel carried out a large speed control on the N74, also called the North-South Link. They mentioned that this road is a busy dual carriageway with a speed limit of 120 km/h. As the road approaches the Dutch border, the limit drops to 90 km/h, then 70 km/h, and finally 50 km/h.
“That’s because the road is changing to a single lane and there’s an S-bend,”
says police chief Bart Voordeckers.
“Several accidents have occurred there in the past, so it’s essential that driving is calmer there.”
What’s driving 45% of cars to speed on Lommel’s N74?
During the latest check, officers monitored almost 500 vehicles in the 70 km/h zone. Around 45% of drivers were caught speeding. Police said the results show that many drivers are not adjusting their speed when it is reduced.
Police in Lommel say the speed limits on the N74 are clearly visible to all drivers.
“The speed limit signs are clearly displayed along the road; it’s more of a mentality issue among drivers,”
a police spokesperson said.
Authorities say the problem is not the signs but how drivers behave. Even though the limits are shown, many motorists still fail to slow down, especially in areas where the speed drops quickly near the Dutch border.
Experts say the sudden drop in speed can still surprise drivers. Stef Willems from the Vias traffic institute explained that the limits are reduced step by step for safety reasons.
“You cannot easily go from 90 km/h to 50 km/h in a short distance,”
he said. He added that the road does not show obvious signs of cyclists or pedestrians.
“The road looks wide and open, so drivers think they can keep their foot on the accelerator. That is why many end up driving too fast,”
Willems said, showing why it is hard to enforce the limits even when they are clearly posted.
In the prior years, Police have had a number of speed checks due to the continued disregard for the speed limits by many drivers. In 2023, a large scale operation demonstrated the high proportions of vehicles travelling over the speed limit. Officials have indicated, that the problem continues, particularly on approaches, where the speed is reduced rapidly.
