2023-11-16 12:49:00
In Belgium, it is especially Flanders which is at the forefront in this area. At the start of the year, the Flemish government indicated that nearly 300 section radars were active in the north of the country, controlling 542 sections, some doing so in two directions. And, in March, Flanders announced that 194 additional sections would be “monitored” before the end of the year.
Speed enthusiasts, take it easy: more than 800 sections controlled by radar section will be active in Belgium by the end of the year
Wallonia has fallen behind somewhat. Particularly because the density of motorways and national roads is less there than in the north of the country. The first radar section in Belgium was however Walloon: installed in 2009 at the entrances to the Cointe tunnel, in Liège, its results were relatively positive. But it was not until 2020 that the south of the country acquired a second radar section. Since then, under the leadership of the Walloon Minister of Road Safety, Valérie De Bue, 67 others have been installed. Mainly along the Walloon ridge, between Mons and Liège. Much less in the far south. “Section radars stand out for their effectiveness in terms of road safety,” explains Minister De Bue, convinced of the benefits of such a system. They offer several advantages. Their ability to cover greater distances promotes compliance with speed limits even outside the immediately monitored area. Studies have demonstrated a reduction in accidents in areas equipped with section radars.”
A total of 90 devices by the end of 2024
In addition, believes the minister, these devices would represent “a means of fair control, penalizing drivers deliberately exceeding the speed limit over a prolonged distance. In Wallonia, all speed cameras are marked, because the objective is not to issue fines but to reduce the risk in a dangerous area.”
Despite signs warning of their presence, speed cameras penalized just under 1.48 million motorists last year. That is three times more than in 2021. An impressive increase due, in particular, to the proliferation of these devices throughout the country.
Also on the outskirts of Brussels, section radars are operating at full capacity: three new repression devices will arrive
In Wallonia, 21 new radars of this type will be installed in 2024 while the minister awaits the approval of mobile section radars which could make mobile construction sites, among others, more secure.
This is also a desire of the Vias Institute in its memorandum published for our political decision-makers. “Almost two out of three Belgians (64%) fail to slow down in a work zone,” says Vias. This is significantly more than the European average (51%). However, construction sites are places prone to accidents. The width of traffic lanes is often reduced: the slightest driving error can lead to an accident. Driving too fast can also be dangerous for workers. And some drivers who respect the speed limits also have the impression of being attacked when they are brushed by others who are speeding. The Vias Institute recommends more frequent use of this type of system throughout the country, in particular for construction sites longer than one kilometer and lasting more than a week.”
A prolonged effect for 10 kilometers after the end of the control
As for the effectiveness of the system, it would not only concern the portion actually controlled. According to the company specializing in warning of danger zones (accidents, radar, etc.), Coyote, motorists would more closely respect the authorized speed limit during the 10 kilometers following the end of the controlled portion. “This proves the deterrent effect of section radars compared to fixed radars after which more of them press the accelerator again,” comments Vincent Hébert, general manager of Coyote Benelux.
Here is the map of the 69 active section radars in Wallonia and the 21 new ones which will be installed next year
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