Calls for action after a spate of road deaths

The three, together with fellow student Nicolas De Vos, 18, were cycling to the famous Wall of Geraardsbergen to take part in a ceremony that would initiate them into the medical faculty at Ghent University. The accident took place at Oosterzele, after the driver, 22, lost control of his car on a bend, driving 90 km/h in a 70 km/h zone.

Emilie’s father refused to condemn the driver. “Yes, he was driving too fast, but let’s be honest, he didn’t set out to cause this accident. Who can honestly say he never drove too fast? I don’t want to judge him. This accident was pure chance.”

The mayor of Oosterzele, Johan Van Durme, echoed the sentiment. “Sure, the young driver made a mistake. But, on the other hand, anyone who says this could never happen to him needs to think a bit more deeply.” Van Durme promised the accident would be marked by a “meaningful, lasting memorial to the victims.” The medical faculty at Ghent University, where a book of remembrance has been opened, said classes would be suspended to allow students to attend the funerals this week.

On 12 November in Beveren, a man of 36 was run over and killed by a driver who had suffered an epileptic seizure. Sufferers from epilepsy are obliged to turn over their driving licence, which can be returned at the end of a year, following a medical examination after a period of seizure-free treatment with medication.

In another accident over the weekend, a 19-year-old student from Kraainem was found dead at the roadside on the E40 at Sterrebeek, having apparently been struck while crossing or walking alongside the road. Christophe Hollack was last seen in Leuven at 3.30, and his body was discovered around 9.00.

Also at the weekend, a father in Torhout saw his 18-year-old daughter hit by a speeding driver on a pedestrian crossing. Kelly Mortier was carried about 30 metres, coming to rest under a parked car. She was taken by emergency services to a nearby hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival. Kelly’s father Frank and a friend managed to jump out of the way in time. The driver failed to stop but was arrested on Monday and identified as a 28-year-old man from Zedelgem. He had been drinking, according to police.

This week, mobility minister Hilde Crevits called for more speed cameras on roads, in addition to the 1,250 already in place. She also suggested the construction of cycle bridges and tunnels at crossroads, which are a frequent site of accidents. “It might be that we have to set up a separate fund for this work,” she told Flemish broadcaster VRT.

The cycling union, meanwhile, says that the building of new cycle paths needs to be speeded up. At the current rates of progress, it could take between 27 and 48 years to lay down all the paths already planned, they said. Investments worth €260 million, for 500 kilometres of planned paths are currently blocked in disputes over property rights, among other questions.

Belgium is the least safe of the main cycling countries of Europe, with more accidents per year per capita than Denmark and the Netherlands. Belgium has 15.4 accidents per million inhabitants; the Netherlands has 10.4, and Denmark has 9.7, according to figures from 1999. In 2007, there were 88 fatalities, 926 serious injuries and over 5,000 minor injuries. A full 90% of this country’s fatal accidents take place in Flanders. Still, accidents involving cyclists are slightly less deadly than those involving two automobiles: 15 per 1,000 compared to 20. Nevertheless, the risk of being in an accident in the first place is four times higher for cyclists. Half of all fatalities involve the over-65s; for those aged 19 to 39, cycling is slightly safer than any other means of transport. Figures: Observatory for Road Safety/Road Safety Support Point