Turnhout (Brussels Morning Newspaper) –A truck has crashed and lost most of its building materials on the N119 Kastelein in Turnhout, closing the road between Turnhout and Weelde-Statie entirely. It happened when the driver probably lost control of the steering wheel, and the truck began to veer off the road.
Thankfully, the cabin skirted narrowly, passing a tree, and nobody was hurt. But the truck is now blocking the whole road, meaning drivers going between Turnhout and Baarle-Hertog are taking a detour of any additional kilometres. The materials are building materials strewn across the road: mortar for floors and black sludge that will need civil protection services to be cleared up.
Construction materials were scattered across an N119 road where a truck crashed on a road around Turnhout. There were no injuries, but detours were needed. Repeated accidents mean that Mayor Hannes Anaf wants to see heavy goods vehicles banned. It is certainly not the first accident here. This accident follows another truck overturning on the same stretch of road after December. So far, the repeated accidents have forced local authorities to rethink traffic regulations in the area.
Turnhout Mayor Hannes Anaf has already voiced concerns about heavy goods vehicles using this route, stating,
“We need to take action to prevent these incidents from happening again.”
Given its closeness to a vulnerable nature reserve, he argues for a possible ban on heavy goods vehicles on this road. It showcases a continued safety concern regarding heavy truck traffic through urban areas and close to important ecological zones, said both today.
What Is the Background Behind These Traffic Issues?
Its history of accidents involving heavy vehicles means the N119 Kastelein has been under the spotlight. The growing number of trucks on this road, some local residents say, is dangerous to them and dangerous to local wildlife. Calls for tighter regulations of truck traffic in the area are made urgent because of the existence of nearby vulnerable nature reserves. Given these accidents, community leaders and local government officials are discussing possible weight restrictions or designated truck routes.
Furthermore, Turnhout may require infrastructure improvements in order to allow safe passage for both vehicles and pedestrians. With growing commercial activity in the region, local authorities must balance public safety and environmental conservation with economic growth. Broader issues of transportation policy in Belgium involving how cities can manage rising freight traffic while preserving community safety and ecological integrity are at the core of these current issues. For De Lijn and other local transport services to adapt to these challenges, policymakers must still ensure they formulate complete solutions to current transport needs while anticipating adapting to future urban mobility growth.
