Last year, level crossing accidents resulted in five deaths and nine serious injuries in Belgium, according to rail network manager Infrabel.
Level crossing accidents refer to collisions between a train and a vehicle or pedestrian. There were a total of 30 accidents in 2024, one fewer than in 2023.
Infrabel noted this is historically low, excluding the Covid-19 pandemic period when significant traffic restrictions were in place.
Overall, the number of accidents appears to be decreasing. During the period 2008-2021, there was an average of 45 to 50 accidents annually.
The decline is attributed to measures such as replacing level crossings, awareness campaigns, and the introduction of the free emergency number 1711.
Calling 1711 connects people directly to traffic control, which can halt train traffic based on the provided information. At least 20 collisions were avoided via this number last year.
Multiple casualties
Despite the decline in accidents, the number of casualties remains high. In 2024, there were five deaths and nine serious injuries compared to six deaths and five serious injuries in 2023.
About 60% of accidents are caused by road users crossing the level crossing when the lights are red and the barriers are down. In 80% of accidents, a vehicle is involved, but cyclists and pedestrians are at higher risk.
Outside port areas, accidents primarily involve local residents who frequently cross the level crossing and mistakenly believe they are safe.
Another recurring trend in 2024 is that many accidents result from carelessness. For example, a driver stopping on the level crossing due to traffic or getting stuck next to the crossing from a wrong manoeuvre. These instances caused eight accidents in 2024.
Accident prevention
Infrabel will continue efforts to prevent accidents. Measures include implementing LED lighting on barriers at around 100 level crossings for better visibility and installing AI-enabled cameras at around 70 high-risk crossings.
Additionally, Infrabel will introduce the Warning Box at some ten locations this year. This is a mobile system which emits a sound signal when a user approaches a closed barrier.
An awareness campaign for the emergency number 1711 will also be launched this year.
