Number of accidents at Belgian railway crossings in decline

Five people were killed, and nine were seriously injured: that is a painful record of accidents last year at level crossings in Belgium. In total, there were 30 accidents, one less than in 2023.

According to rail infrastructure manager Infrabel, the balance is clearly in decline. During the 2008-2021 period, for example, there were an average of 45 to 50 accidents annually.

According to Infrabel, the downward trend is partly due to replacing level crossings, raising awareness, and commissioning the toll-free emergency number 1711. “Last year, at least 20 collisions were avoided thanks to contact with 1711,” says Infrabel.

Anyone calling the number is directly connected to traffic control, which, based on the information provided, can stop train traffic immediately if necessary. Since its commissioning in mid-February last year, 1711 has received about 150 calls per month. About one in three (35%) of the calls are relevant—there will be a reminder campaign around 1711 this year.

Collision mostly due to crossing at red

The main observations in 2024 for Infrabel remain that the number of victims remains high: five dead and nine seriously injured, compared to six dead and five seriously injured in 2023. And 30% of accidents occur in the winter months of November, December, and January.

Even this year, for example, there was already a fatal accident. Last week in Roosbeek, Flemish Brabant, a cyclist of 11, was killed in a collision with a train. According to the public prosecutor, initial findings point to an accident where the boy wanted to cross the closed-level crossing.

60% of accidents are caused by road users crossing the level crossing while the lights are red and the barriers are closed. Vehicles are involved in 80% of accidents, but cyclists and pedestrians remain most at risk in collisions.

LED lighting and Warning Box

Infrabel will also continue its efforts to prevent accidents this year. The program includes rolling out LED lighting on the barriers of about 100 level crossings to improve visibility and installing AI cameras at some 70 high-risk level crossings.

In addition, Infrabel will also install the Warning Box, a mobile system that emits a sound signal when a road user passes a closed barrier at a dozen locations.

More than two hours of delay per day on average

Incidents at level crossings also disrupted and delayed train traffic. In 2024, there were 346 incidents, such as traffic accidents near a level crossing or a broken barrier, as was the case yesterday in Ingelmunster, which caused a delay of 48,275 minutes or an average delay of 2 hours 12 minutes per day. In 2023, delays averaged 2 hours and 25 minutes per day.

Last year, 8 level crossings were eliminated and/or replaced on rail lines in service. The Belgian rail network is one of the busiest in Europe and today has 1,612 level crossings. Since the creation of Infrabel in 2005, 460 crossings have been removed and replaced on the Belgian rail network.