Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Belgium Know Before You Go Driving Culture Driving is on the right. • A driving study named Belgian drivers the most Drivers are required to carry proof of third party aggressive in Europe. insurance, passport and vehicle registration. Non-EU • Drivers typically blast horns to express irritation. drivers must carry an International Driving Permit (IDP). • Road rage is common. Pedestrian crashes are the second leading cause of road • Drivers often use rude gestures to communicate with deaths in Belgium. other motorists. Belgium is one of the least safe countries in Europe • Despite laws prohibiting cell phone use while driving, for road travel, ranking 23 out of 30 countries studied. Belgian drivers frequently use electronic devices Reasons include speeding, and use of alcohol and while operating motorized vehicles. One in ten drugs. Blood alcohol limit is below 0.05 g/dl for all drivers. Belgian drivers has been in a crash involving use of a There are 5.8 road deaths per 100,000 people in smartphone. Belgium, compared to 2.8 in Sweden and 3.1 in the UK. • Speeding is widespread. Road Conditions • There are 118,414 km (73,579 miles) of paved roads in Belgium, including 1,747 km (1,085 miles) of expressways. • Roads are generally in good condition and are well maintained. • Highway lightingis adequate; lighting along rural roads may be insufficient or nonexistent. • Many highways are overcrowded. • Highways are designated by the letter “A,” followed by a number; and may also carry the European route, indicated by the letter “E,” followed by a number. • National roads are marked by the letter “N,” followed by a number. • Ring roads (beltway roads encircling a town, city or urban area) are identified by the letter “R,” followed by a number. • The Liefkenshoek Tunnel in Antwerp is a toll road. Payment lanes are available, along with several pre-paid options including e-Vignette (Eurovignette), Multicard and MSTS Tolls Solution. • Cyclists are common on roadways. Many people commute by bicycle, including school children. • Pedestrian infrastructure is generally well developed in towns and cities, but pedestrians often cross against traffic, ignore zebra walks and cross streets when the pedestrian light is red. • Large, mostly peaceful public demonstrations are common. Gatherings may disrupt transportation; many demonstrations are staged at transport hubs including train and bus stations. • Unexploded munitions in former WWI battlefields in northwest Belgium have recently been uncovered. Exercise caution if leaving main roadways. • Parking is difficult in cities. • The following roads may present particular challenges to motorists: » The Antwerp Ring Road and the A11 expressway from Antwerp to the coast are regarded as two of the most dangerous motorways in Belgium. Frequent congestion and high freight traffic are major contributing factors to crashes. » The Rue de Tintange links the small towns of Tintange (Fauvillers) and Grumelange in Southern Belgium. The narrow mountain road has an asphalt surface. The road has many twists and turns. Some areas are difficult for two moving cars to safely pass one another, and require that one driver pull over to allow room for an approaching vehicle to pass. Road verges are soft and sloping. » The Mur de Huy in the Province of Liege and the Muur van Geraardsbergen (also known as the Kapelmuur) in the southern province of East Flanders Source: CIA Factbook ©ASIRT 2020 1 Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Belgium are steep, narrow roadways. Both roads have uneven surfaces and are very popular with cyclists, including professional cyclists in training. Both roads are very steep and are frequently included in professional cycling races. Drivers should be alert to the presence of bicyclists. Regional and Seasonal Conditions • The climate in Belgium is temperate with little variation from region to region. • Rain and foggy conditions are common. • Drivers should exercise caution following rain, as road surfaces may be slick. • Heavy fog or standing water may obscure potholes or other dangers. • During winter months, ice and snow may be present on roads. • Be familiar with emergency procedures. The Red Cross provides a website and free, downloadable emergency app: http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies Public Transportation • Public transportation is well developed. Options include train, metro, tram, buses and ferries. • All forms of public transport are generally considered safe and efficient. • The bus network is operated by three agencies: De Lijn (Flanders network); TEC (Wallonia); and STIB (Brussels metropolitan area). • There is a metro in Brussels, operated by STIB. • Tram systems are available in Brussels, Antwerp, Ghent and Charleroi. The Coastal Tram traverses the entire Belgian coast. • Train travel within Belgium is regarded as safer than driving. • High-speed, regional and long distance train service is available throughout the country. • Trains connect to the United Kingdom and to nearby European countries. • Use only official, licensed taxis or pre-booked minicabs. • Taxi companies are privately run but are regulated. • Do not hail taxis on the street. Access taxis at official queues throughout the city, or by booking online or via phone. • The Hull-Zeebrugge ferry line operates direct, modern ferries between Belgium and the United Kingdom. Traffic Regulations • At uncontrolled intersections, traffic approaching from the right generally has priority; this includes vehicles entering from smaller streets onto main roads. • On roads and motorways with merging traffic, traffic on road must yield to traffic entering from merge lane. • Motorway speed limits are not always posted. Drivers are expected to know limits. Maximum Speed Limits • Speed limits are strictly enforced. Type of road Maximum speed 50 kph • Automated speed check systems are common. Urban areas • At roundabouts, drivers must give way to vehicles already present in (31 mph) 30 kph circle. Central Brussels (19 mph) • Right turns on red are prohibited unless special lanes and signs 90 kph Rural roads indicate otherwise. (55 mph) • High fines apply to drivers stopped for using left or middle lanes 120 kph Motorways other than for overtaking. (74 mph) • Drivers must be at least 18 years of age. To rent a car, drivers must Always adjust speed according to signage, hazards be at least 21; age limits may vary with individual rental agency. and weather conditions. Additional fees for drivers under 25 may apply. Signs are generally pictorial and may not follow European Union conventions. No Use of cruise Bicycles and No passing Parking on Emergency No entry Lanes Mandatory exit control mopeds wait vehicles with more roadway stopping for decrease bicycle prohibited here at light than two wheels mandatory area pedestrians path ©ASIRT 2020 2 Association for Safe International Road Travel Road Safety Review: Belgium • Seat belt use is mandatory for Brussels (Capital) driver and all passengers. »»Driving is not recommended. Traffic is congested and chaotic. • Children in rear-facing child seats »»There are many cobblestone streets in the city. Pedestrians should be alert may ride in front seats, provided to uneven surfaces. air bags are deactivated. »»The public transportation network is extensive, and can be confusing to • Children up to 18 years of age or visitors. Options include buses, trams, metro and train. 135 cm (53.1 inches) in height »»City bus routes are wide reaching. are required to use a child »»The bus network is run by STIB. restraint. »»Night bus (Noctis) routes replace metro and tram from midnight until 3 a.m. • Helmet use is compulsory »»There are four metro lines. Stations are marked by blue and white signs for motorcycle drivers and displaying a large letter “M.” passengers. Enforcement is high. »»Metro announcements are made in Dutch, French and English. • Motorcyclists are required to wear »»Tickets must be validated prior to travel. protective clothing including »»Single use “Jump” tickets are available at vending machines in most metro gloves, long-sleeve jackets, long and bus stations. pants and boots that protect »»The tram network has 17 lines; lines 2 and 6 are circle lines. ankles. »»Trams run both above and below ground. Underground trams are called • Children under three years of “premetro,” and are not part of the main metro system. age may not be passengers on »»Main train stations are Central-Centraal, Midi-Zuid and Nord-Noord. mopeds or motorcycles; children »»High-speed trains stop at Midi-Zuid; intercity (ICE) trains stop at Nord- under 8 may not be passengers Noord. on motorcycles over 125cc in »»Most taxis are black Mercedes vehicles. Some companies may operate other power. cars of different colors; all taxis are identified by a “Taxi” sign on car roof. • Bicyclists are required to use arm »»A bike-sharing system is operated by Villo, with more than 200 stations signals and to comply with traffic throughout the city. regulations. »»Brussels Airport is 6.5 km (4 miles) northeast of city center. • Bicycles must be equipped with a »»Belgian Rail operates train service to and from the airport, with up to six white headlight and red taillight. trains each hour from city center. Use of lights is compulsory after »»The train station is located on Level 1. Routes to major Belgian cities and to dark. other European destinations are available. • Helmets are not mandatory for »»Service from the airport stops at all three main city train stations. bicyclists. For safety, bicycle »»Multiple locations within the city are served by STIB buses and De Lijn buses. riders should wear protective »»Most major car rental agencies are represented at the airport. helmets. • Vehicles must be equipped Bruges with a warning triangle, fire »»Driving is not recommended. The city is easily navigable on foot or by public extinguisher, first aid kit and transport. reflective safety vest or jacket »»Narrow streets are common, and there are multiple one-way streets.