According to Vias Institute’s latest road safety barometer, based on police data, the number of accidents with injuries in Belgium fell slightly in 2024 (-3 %). However, the number of accidents involving electric scooters rose by nine percent, while there was a decline between 2022 and 2023.
Last year, the police recorded 1,745 accidents involving electric scooters, 137 more than in 2023 (1,608 accidents). However, Vias assumes that the actual number of accidents with injuries is even higher because, after a fall without an opposing party, the police are not necessarily called to make a statement.
Popular e-scooters
“A few years ago, accidents with electric scooters occurred almost exclusively in Brussels,” explains Stef Willems, spokesperson of Vias. “We are currently seeing more electric scooters on the streets throughout the country.”
Most accidents are currently happening in Flanders, where Vias has recorded a ten percent increase compared to 2023, from 851 to 937. Three people died on the spot in Flanders with an electric scooter.
New regulation
New rules for electric scooters came into force in July 2022, but they are not always correctly respected. “It is necessary that these rules are better observed. This requires extra awareness and checks,” Willems concludes.
We also see a significant decrease in injury accidents among cyclists (-5 %) nationwide. It is striking that we only see this decrease among classic bicycles (-9%), from 7,753 accidents in 2023 to 7,061 in 2024. Vias’ figures show a slight increase in accidents involving an electric bike (from 3,390 to 3,464, +2%).
Fewer alcohol-related accidents
The results of the road safety barometer show a slight decrease in the total number of injury accidents for last year. A favorable trend is a decrease in the number of alcohol-related accidents.
Comments
Ready to join the conversation?
You must be an active subscriber to leave a comment.
Subscribe Today