Lanaken (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In December, 2024 Industrieweg’s speed control system moved to enhance cyclist safety, catching 587 speeding drivers in a month. Mobility Alderwoman Jolein Martens is concerned for safer roads.
In early December 2024, the control system on Industrieweg was turned back on and moved to a new area. It was previously operated between Maastrichterweg and Nijverheidslaan. There was a lot of work done in that area to make it safer for cyclists, including some upgrades to the roads.
According to Jolein Martens, who is in charge of Mobility, these changes made the old location less effective for the system. To make sure it stayed useful, the system was moved to a new spot where it can better help with traffic safety. The new area being monitored is now in the direction of the industrial estate, starting from Smeermaas.
How is Lanaken improving road safety on Industrieweg?
The city cares about enforcing speed limits and making roads safer for people who are at risk. By moving the control system, the authorities can monitor speeding cars where it is needed the most.
Authorities mentioned that the improvements made for cyclists also show that the city wants to focus on safe and eco-friendly travel options for everyone. This plan aims to create a safer and better road system while encouraging cycling as a safe way to get around. The goal is to make sure all road users feel secure and can travel efficiently.
The section control initially ran between the Maastrichterweg in the direction of the Nijverheidslaan, but we carried out work there to increase traffic safety for cyclists. So there was no point in reintroducing it there. That is why we moved the control,
Martens explains.
Industrieweg is a busy road with a speed limit of 50 kilometers per hour. However, many drivers ignore this limit and drive too fast. This has caused safety worries, especially for cyclists and pedestrians. People have reported safety concerns, sharing stories of close calls with speeding cars. Cyclists and pedestrians have expressed their fear and frustration. They describe moments when vehicles came too close and almost pushed them off the road.
In response, the authorities recognized the necessity of addressing speeding and that they must take action to deal with speeding and protect everyone on the road. They are restarting and moving the speed control system to help stop reckless driving and make sure drivers follow the 50 km/h speed limit. This action is part of a bigger plan to focus on the safety of vulnerable road users in crowded areas.
“It is very clearly indicated with traffic signs and we have also warned residents on our website”
Councillor for Mobility Jolein Martens (Mavor’s Team)
The move of the speed control system on Industrieweg has shown quick results. In the first month after it was moved, 587 drivers were recorded for speeding violations. This number, shared by Het Belang van Limburg and confirmed by Jolein Martens, who is in charge of Mobility, highlights the speeding problem on this busy road.
Alderman Martens was surprised by the results and called the number “staggering.” She said that the speed limit and the speed control signs are clear on the road. Residents were also told about the change through announcements on the city’s website. Still, many drivers did not seem to notice the new location. Martens thinks some drivers might believe the speed checks are still at the old spot near Nijverheidslaan. This could explain why so many were caught speeding.
What measures are being taken to reduce speeding violations in Lanaken’s Industrieweg and Koning Albertlaan?
In 2024, the six-speed control sections in Lanaken caught 5,736 drivers speeding. This number might look high, but Jolein Martens, the alderman for Mobility, thinks it is not too bad when we look at past years.
She mentioned that the drop in speeding shows the section control systems are working well.
That is a lot, but it shows that the checks are working. Our goal is to make sure no driver goes too fast,
Martens explained.
This decrease in speeding shows that regular checks can change how drivers behave. It helps make the roads safer for everyone.
Two places had many speeding violations. Industrieweg had a lot of drivers caught since trajectory control was brought back. But Koning Albertlaan had the most violations, with 3,710 in 2024.
Jolein Martens said that Koning Albertlaan has been a problem for a long time. Past speed checks did not change how drivers behaved. The new trajectory controls are helping a lot. He mentioned that this road is very dangerous for cyclists. With ongoing checks and stricter rules, the goal is to lower speeding and make the road safer for cyclists who are at risk.
