'Winter time' disaster in the country! 'At least one person dies'

In the written statement made by the Belgian Road Safety Institute Vias, the results of the investigation into traffic accidents that occurred between 16.00 and 19.00 between 2016 and 2025 were shared.

'IT REACHED 73 PERCENT'

Accordingly, when October and November are compared, accidents in which pedestrians were injured or killed in evening traffic increased by 39 percent in November. Following the implementation of winter time, the increase in accidents in which at least one pedestrian died or was seriously injured in the evening hours reached 73 percent.

In the last 10 years, 181 pedestrians lost their lives or were seriously injured in accidents that occurred in evening traffic in November throughout Belgium. This number corresponded to an average of 18 people per year.

The highest increase in accidents resulting in pedestrian deaths or serious injuries was recorded in the Walloon Region with 104 percent. This rate was 73 percent in the capital Brussels and 63 percent in the Flemish Region.

BRAKING OPPORTUNITIES ARE REDUCED

In the statement, it was stated that as the weather got darker earlier in November, drivers noticed pedestrians later or could not see them at all, therefore their opportunity to brake before a collision decreased.

It was noted that cyclists were also affected by less daylight hours, and that bicycle accidents occurring in the twilight hours in November increased approximately fourfold compared to June, when bicycle use was more common.

Belgium switched to winter time on Sunday, October 25, when the clocks were turned back one hour.