Men account for 80 per cent of road deaths in Belgium
Four out of five road fatalities in Belgium involve men, according to figures from traffic institute VIAS. The organisation attributes this stark gender gap primarily to higher risk-taking behaviour among men.
The disparity between genders varies by the type of road user. Among motorcyclists, 96 per cent of fatalities are male. For car drivers and cyclists, men account for three-quarters of deaths, while among pedestrians, the split is more balanced, with just over half being male.
While men make up 59 per cent of all road accident victims, they are disproportionately involved in the most serious crashes. VIAS links this to riskier behaviour in traffic. Studies show that men are more likely to drive under the influence, wear seat belts less frequently, speed more often and become distracted by phone use behind the wheel.
"Boys are encouraged to take risks from a young age," says Shirley Delannoy of VIAS. "Girls, on the other hand, are socialised to be more cautious and to follow the rules." She believes these gender norms translate into driving habits, with women tending to be more defensive and preventive, while men drive more assertively and take greater risks.
VIAS concludes that women tend to be more cautious, responsible and considerate toward other road users, whereas men are more likely to minimise their mistakes and underestimate the risks they create. As a result, awareness campaigns such as the BOB drink-driving initiative should focus primarily on male drivers.
© BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS
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