Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Brussels reports a 25% decrease in car traffic due to new restrictions. Bart Dhondt, Mobility Councillor, noted increased compliance. Car Free Sunday was incident-free, promoting safer urban mobility for all.
Brussels Mobility has said that this year, there has been a decrease in the number of cars trying to enter the Brussels Region, likely because of the new traffic restrictions. These restrictions are meant to reduce traffic jams and improve air quality in the city.
What impact have new traffic regulations had on road safety and compliance in Brussels?
In the Montgomery police zone, which includes Etterbeek, Sint-Pieters-Woluwe, and Sint-Lambrechts-Woluwe, authorities reported some cases where drivers were fined for trying to ignore these rules. However, these cases were quite rare, suggesting that most drivers are following the new regulations. The positive trend indicates increasing awareness and acceptance of measures to promote sustainable transportation and improve the urban environment in Brussels.
The spokesperson said that even with the increased traffic restrictions and more cyclists and pedestrians in Brussels, there have been no reported incidents or serious accidents involving vulnerable road users. This includes cyclists, pedestrians, and others who may be at greater risk on the roads. It has been said that the lack of incidents is a good sign, showing that the measures taken to improve road safety are working. These measures likely include better bike lanes, pedestrian areas, and traffic calming initiatives designed to create a safer environment for everyone. This reflects a commitment to promoting safe travel and ensuring that different types of road users can coexist peacefully in the city.
The Brussels public transport company reported that Car Free Sunday went well without any incidents. On this day, all bus, tram, and metro lines operated by MIVB were free all day, and the service was more frequent than on a regular Sunday. Emergency services had 206 interventions, with 43 of those occurring on public roads due to falls from bicycles or scooters. Fire department spokesperson Walter Derieuw mentioned that last year there were 238 medical interventions, with 41 due to falls, and he noted that some people who usually drive themselves to the emergency room call for an ambulance on days like this to get to the hospital.
