Merkem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) -The 31-year-old van driver escaped a completely destructive accident when his vehicle crashed in Merkem near Houthulst. He drove off the road toward the right side before crashing into a stationary vehicle.
A 31-year-old driver of a van managed to survive after his vehicle veered off the Iepersteenweg in Merkem near Houthulst and collided with a lorry that was parked at the time.
The driver escaped from the wrecked van thanks to his ability to leave the wreck on his own. Police determined that alcohol impairment affected the driver during the accident, which led to a 15-day license suspension.
“The van was torn apart on the right side, as was part of the truck. Miraculously, the driver was able to get out of his mangled cabin. He was slightly injured but did not have to go to the hospital. His driver’s license was revoked for 15 days because he had been drinking,”
Says Commissioner Geert Provoost of the Polder police zone.
“The man was very lucky,”
says Commissioner Geert Provoost of the Polder police zone.
“On his trailer was a jeep that ended up on the road due to the impact. That also suffered damage. The fire department still had to clear a lot of debris.”
“The truck that was hit also suffered heavy damage. The vehicles were towed away. The thirty-something can expect a hefty bill from the police judge.”
What past incidents highlight the dangers of drunk driving in West Flanders?
West Flanders has experienced various fatal accidents, which demonstrate the extreme risks posed by driving under the influence of alcohol. Multiple tragic events have resulted in substantial human fatalities while leading to widespread public discussions demanding stronger road safety legislation.
The E403 motorway near Ruddervoorde experienced one of the most destructive recent accidents in August 2024, according to VRT reports. A 50-year-old driver handled his vehicle with a blood alcohol content that exceeded the legal limit by three to four times when he crashed into the back of a vehicle occupied by a young couple along with their 8-year-old daughter.
The family members perished instantly at the accident site. The driver, who possessed over ten traffic offence convictions, including several drink-driving convictions, ended up being arrested for involuntary manslaughter and additional charges. He had been banned numerous times and convicted multiple times in the past, yet remained untethered to incarceration because of systemic enforcement issues with repeat offender penalties.
A 23-year-old Torhout driver driving under the influence killed a 20-year-old woman in West Flanders, according to The Brussels Times. The infringement resulted in an automatic revocation of his driving license to demonstrate immediate legal repercussions.
The area continues to experience escalating alcohol-driven events that involve both prominent figures and adolescent drivers. A 20-year-old female inhabitant of Ostend faced authorities after testing at 0.8 per mile, which exceeded the legal alcohol threshold.
The late 2024 single-car crash of Flemish celebrity actor Tom Waes while he was under the influence of alcohol contributed to widespread public discussions about the behavioural responsibilities of famous public figures alongside general safety considerations linked to driving while intoxicated.
