Some 99,000 ignoring a red light last year

Last year saw 99,000 police tickets for drivers jumping the red light, a serious motoring offence.

The number is some 10,000 up on the year, which means an increase of more than 10 percent in just 12 months’ time.

The city of Ghent is said to have seen a surge of 16 percent. Official police figures are probably only the top of the iceberg, as the real number is possible a lot higher.

Police suggest that car drivers are becoming more careless. “They are busy with their radio, mobile phone or other things, and are taken by surprise when the light suddenly turns red.”

Koen Peeters of the Belgian Institute for Road Safety (BIVV) sees another possible cause. “We are getting more frustrated as traffic jams and waiting times keep on increasing. This can lead to some drivers, when they eventually reach the traffic lights, decide to accelerate when they see the light turning orange, instead of stopping.”

Flandersnews.be / Expatica