Serious consequences to accidents In 2015, road traffic accidents on Belgian roads caused 732 deaths, 4 201 serious injuries and 47 638 light injuries according to the European study "My Life After The Crash" by the Belgian Road Traffic Institute. Among those seriously injured, 80% never fully recover.
The report was published this Sunday (20 November) on the occasion of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims. The day is commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year to remember the many millions killed and injured on the world’s roads, together with their families, friends and many others who are also affected.
Approximately 60% of the respondents to the survey had to spend more than 7 days in hospital following a road accident. The most frequent physical injuries for both pedestrians and motorists were to the head, lower limbs and the spine.
In addition, more than 60% of all victims interviewed experienced post-traumatic stress and 70% of those who spent more than 7 days in the hospital experienced severe depression. The study also found that 18% of the victims had to make adjustments to their home and 30% were even forced to move.
A traffic accident also leaves traces on the professional level. More than half (54%) of the seriously injured stayed home for more than 3 months and just over one-third (34%) had to stop working or studying. For those who returned to work, the workload had to be adapted in almost 70% of the cases.
According to figures published last week by Eurostat, the statistics office of EU, 26 100 people died in road accidents in EU last year. The number of road traffic victims per 100 000 inhabitants in Belgium was 6.5, slightly above the EU average of 5.1.
The Brussels Times (Source: Belga)
