Last year, 482 children and young people were injured in traffic accidents in Brussels. The figures come from Brussels Mobility, which publishes them due to the first day of school in French-speaking education in the capital.

The service reminds all road users, including drivers, cyclists, e-scooter users, and pedestrians, to be extra cautious and to observe traffic rules.

Pedestrians are the primary victims

Although there has been a decline in the number of underage victims of traffic accidents in the Brussels-Capital Region since 2015, with almost 500 victims, the number of children and young people injured on Brussels roads is still far too high.

In Belgium, an average of approximately 2,290 children (aged 3 to 18) were victims of a traffic accident on their way to school between 2018 and 2022. That’s about 13 per day.

Most of the children and young people who were injured in the Brussels-Capital Region were on foot (41%). Young people in cars accounted for 18% and cyclists for 13%.

A notable increase is the growing number of victims traveling by e-scooter, accounting for 12%. Brussels Mobility would like to emphasize once again that it is strictly forbidden for two people to ride on one e-scooter, a rule often disregarded in Brussels.

Be extra careful for vulnerable road users

It also calls on all road users, including pedestrians, to obey the traffic rules, but above all to be extra careful with vulnerable road users. For example, the department requests adherence to speed limits, that pedestrians are given priority, especially at intersections with traffic lights; and that sudden or risky overtaking maneuvers be avoided when there is a youngster on an e-scooter or bicycle nearby.

It also advises drivers to watch out for pedestrians and cyclists who have a green light at the same time when turning left or right, and to never park within five meters of a crosswalk, on the sidewalk, on a bike path, or at an intersection, so as not to obstruct visibility.

Brussels Mobility also plans a dozen micro-projects each year to enhance the safety of school environments. In June, for example, colorful street furniture was installed in front of two schools on Ninove Road.