Brussels registers the highest number of accidents per 100 km of road
Statbel has published new maps showing and analysing road dangerousness in Belgium between 2017 and 2024. These focus on road accidents and casualties where at least one motor vehicle was involved. In 2024, there were 18.5 accidents and 1.9 victims per 100 km of road in Belgium.
The Brussels-Capital Region registers the highest number of accidents per 100 km of road
The Brussels-Capital Region has the highest concentration of accidents per 100 km of road, reflecting not only heavy urban traffic but also significant differences in size between regional networks (Brussels-Capital: ± 2,860 km, Flemish Region: ± 89,700 km and Walloon Region: ± 85,900 km). There were 118.5 accidents per 100 km of road. This figure is 22 in Flanders and 11.4 in Wallonia.
The provinces of Antwerp and East Flanders register the most accidents per 100 km of road
At provincial level, Antwerp registers 30.4 accidents per 100 km of road and East Flanders 23.6 accidents.
Proportionally, these two provinces also have the most victims per 100 km of road: 3.2 for Antwerp and 2.9 for East Flanders. In the Brussels-Capital Region, this figure amounts to 5.8 victims per 100 km.
With 4.1 accidents, the province of Luxembourg registers the fewest accidents per 100 km of road. The province of Namur registers 8.5 accidents and Walloon Brabant 15.0 accidents.
This indicator must be contrasted with other complementary indicators, in particular the severity of accidents and the type of users involved, because even though Wallonia has the lowest number of accidents per kilometre, the accidents that occur there are often more serious than in the rest of the country.
The provinces of Luxembourg, Namur and Wallloon Brabant register less then one victem per 100 km of road.
Accidents de la route avec tués et blessés, Belgique et régions, dernières 8 années
Accéder aux dernières statistiquesPurpose and short description
Statbel has been compiling statistics on road accidents since 1 July 1926. These statistics are based on a form that must be completed by the police services in the event of any accident on the road claiming casualties. Over time, this form has been adapted several times according to the evolution of society and road phenomena.
Survey population
Road traffic accidents with personal injury in Belgium which resulted in a police report.
Data collection method and sample size
Administrative data : on-site police records and investigation by prosecutors.
Périodicité
Annuel
Release calendar
Availability of results: 6 months after the reference period.
Definitions
Accident: an accident between two or more road users is considered as one accident. Only accidents on public roads and claiming casualties are included in these statistics. Are therefore excluded: collisions and accidents on private property or at sports events. Accidents with material damage only are no longer included since 1973.
Death 30 days: any person who died on the scene or within 30 days after the accident.
Serious casualty: any person injured in a road accident whose condition requires hospitalisation of more than 24 hours.
Light casualty: any person injured in a road accident who is not classified under fatal or serious casualty.
Car: passenger cars; twin-purpose cars; minibuses; camping vehicles.
Van: van
Truck: truck, tractor + semi-trailers; tractor alone.
Bus: bus; coach.
Moped: moped A (two wheels), moped B (two wheels), moped with 3 or 4 wheels.
Motorcycle: motorcycle not exceeding 400 cc, motorcycle exceeding 400 cc.
Bicyle: bicycle
Pedestrian:disabled person in a wheelchair; pedestrian with a two-wheeled vehicle; other pedestrian.
Other: agricultural tractor; trolleybus; rider; carriage; other user; unknown, unavailable.
Remarks
Quality of the figures: Death data are the most reliable and stable data. Indeed, it is more than likely that a fatal accident will be the subject of police or prosecutorial intervention. Data on light casualties are most likely underestimated, especially for vulnerable road users (pedestrians and cyclists). Belgian and international studies estimate the police registration rate at 90% for fatal accidents (data from prosecutors, however, allow us to improve these results). It is around 50% for casualties requiring hospitalisation and less than 20% for very light casualties (not requiring hospitalisation).
Data from 2005 to 2017 have been revised by police services. Statbel updated its road accident data in June 2018. There is a large number of unknown data for some important variables (municipality, road conditions, and weather conditions, among others) between 2005 and 2017. It is less a problem for the most recent years. The most recent release always prevails.