Flemish Mobility Minister Annick De Ridder has rejected proposals from Flemish Climate Minister Melissa Depraetere on reducing motorway speed limits to 100 km/h.
The idea was put forward by Depraetere (Vooruit) in a podcast with Het Laatste Nieuws. On the podcast, she suggested the reduction would decrease the accident risk in the northern part of the country and save 20 to 30% in fuel consumption for drivers.
However, in response to the podcast, De Ridder (N-VA), said the proposal would "absolutely not" be happening. Instead, alternative proposals for reducing road emissions will be discussed within the government.
The idea also does not convince the Road Safety Institute Vias. They suggest adapting speed limits in real-time on particularly busy routes, such as the Antwerp ring road, instead of a blanket reduction.
The Flemish government will put forward its Climate and Energy Plan this summer to reduce the region’s CO2 emissions and meet overdue climate targets. Depraetere suggested the proposals as part of wider discussions on potential solutions.
Previously, the green party Groen, a minor party in the Flemish Parliament, had also supported this measure.
The Flemish government coalition agreement commits to "ambitious climate action, but not acting rashly."
