Ghent’s circulation plan: ‘40% less traffic accidents’

One year after the implementation of the circulation plan in Ghent traffic accidents within the ring road of the city centre decreased with one third, 35 to 40%, declared Ghent’s Alderman for Mobility Filip Watteeuw (Groen) during a press conference.

The number of accidents already was diminishing, but the introduction of the circulation plan is quickening the decrease. There is less traffic in the city, so there are fewer accidents.

Multiply by five

There still are advocates and opponents of the plan but Watteeuw sees his vision confirmed by the results. According to Watteeuw the popularity of public transport and the bicycle has grown and in the coming years he plans to put even more effort in promoting bicycle traffic.

“By 2020 we want to multiply the number of bicycle streets by five”, he says. “This way we create a safe place in traffic for unprotected road users.”

Circulatieplan versnelt daling aantal ongevallen in Gent