Zone 30 in Brussels: traffic injuries and noise pollution fall, study shows

The number of injuries in traffic accidents in Brussels is falling each year, and noise pollution is also decreasing, according to figures from the region’s Mobility minister, Elke Van den Brandt, of Flemish green party Groen.

The findings are part of a review of changes to the speed limit introduced at the start of 2021, Bruzz reports. The limit applies to all roads in Brussels except for major axes, where it remains 50 or 70 km/h.  

There has been a reduction in the number of accidents involving cars and pedestrians since the new general limit was introduced. Disregarding 2020 and 2021, when traffic was down because of restrictions during the pandemic, the number of accidents is at its lowest level since 2010.

Less noise

In 2010, there were 633 pedestrians injured in traffic accidents, down from 786 in 2010. For drivers, the number almost halved in the same period – from 1,585 to 762.

The number of cyclists injured in 2023 fell compared to 2022 – from 825 to 787 – but is much higher than it was in 2010, when 312 suffered injuries.

Reducing speed limits from 50 to 30 km/h has also seen a reduction in cases of noise nuisance by more than half in some places. This is the result of reduced friction of tyres on the road surface and less noise from drivers braking and accelerating.

“Fewer accidents, fewer victims, less noise: the 30 zone makes our city more attractive and liveable,” said Van den Brandt. “Brussels is a pioneer in Europe, alongside cities such as Prague and Amsterdam that are taking the same path.”

Since November 2020, government body Brussels Mobility has been measuring speeds at 80 locations in the capital. Cameras are placed in inconspicuous places, to prevent drivers from braking suddenly as they approach. The measurement show a clear decrease in average speeds on all roads.

More cameras to come

In places that already had a limit of 30km/h, average speeds fell from 27.8 km/h in 2022 to 26.9 in 2023. In 50 zones that were changed to 30 zones, the average speed decreased from 30.7 km/h to 30.1 km/h in 2023. In 50 zones, there was a fall in average speeds from 40 to 39 km/h.

A further 14 fixed cameras will be installed this year in the north of the city. Locations include Ninoofsesteenweg in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek, Landsroemlaan in Ganshoren, Charles Woestelaan in Jette and Pantheonlaan in Koekelberg.

Data from police previously confirmed that Pantheonlaan is a particularly dangerous road. Between 1 July 2022 and 1 July 2023, there were 12 accidents, seven of them causing injury. Four incidents involved a driver hitting a pedestrian.