I totally agree! In my life I drove German, French, Holland, USA highways. The Belgian "style" of driving is simply not acceptable by any standards in all those other countries. Belgian drivers lack discipline and are more than often very rude. Even more, as I have observed the aggressive style is often seen as something to be proud of. Police force is very selective in reinforcing the rules.
As far as the quality of the highway service I also have to agree. The network of highways is good comparing to other countries but the quality is very bad. In Holland the quality is superior in my opinion, Germans constantly fix, and resurface their highways, Belgians... we all know.
I only hope that the saying "small country, small people, small minds" will not become synonymous with Belgium.
The Belgian communication system is plain sick. I think this comment from The Telegraph by David Rennie adequately describes the problem:
“No rules strike more fear into the hearts of overseas visitors to Belgium, or cause more rage among the thousands of foreign diplomats, Eurocrats and businessmen who live in Brussels. Wherever foreigners' cars are parked, lines of dented and scraped right wings offer mute testament to the perils of the priority system, under which Belgian drivers may roar out of tiny side streets without even slowing. To make things worse, Belgium operates a hybrid system. Priority on the right covers all junctions and roundabouts - except when there are small yellow and white diamond signs on posts beside the road, when priority reverts to the larger road and those entering from side streets must give way.”
But Belgians have an answer for this one as well: "Damn foreigners, this is Belgium".
Having resided in Belgium for just over 2 years, I'm not certain about the comments regarding the aggressive and rude style of driving. It migrates more towards total incompetence. Each week on my to/from work drives in the Antwerp region, accross 3rd world quality constructed streets & highways, I was inevitably faced with a delay caused by a road accident. Upon recahing the accident sight I was dumbfounded each time as how those involved actually managed to get their cars in such inexplicable positions. It was mind boggling, humourous, and concerning all at once. Following regular traffic was another adventure. Drivers in front struggled with decisions whether to turn left, right or continue straight. The turn signal use became reminiscent of being stuck in an outdoor disco. In their defense we should all consider that drivers permits in Belgium until the 1970's required no testing. You just went to the post office, paid your money, and off you went all smiles with your 10 euro permit and a two and a half tonne weapon under the seat of your pants. The Belgian road system.....where terrorism truly exists.
We've just got back from a driving tour of France, Belgium and Germany. The Belgian drivers, were, frankly, abysmal, compared to the French or German drivers.
We lost count of the number of times we were "tailgated" by aggressive red number-plated vans, or witnessed Belgian cars meander over the painted lines, ie zero lane discipline.
The roads were shocking too. Full of weeds, unkempt, and dangerous pot-holes on the autoroutes, too.
I think you're actually being too light on them. Having lived here for over 3 years, I can honestly say that the road/driving system here is beyond laughing anymore. The road (including motorways) are worse then some you might see driving through a 3rd world country; people seem to think indicators are an after-thought, or better yet a confusion tactic; fog lights come on when its a bright sunny day; the slow lane is only used for people to undertake the people who refuse to acknowledge the slow lane exists and better yet mobile phones seem to be increasingly becoming a MANDATORY part of driving here.
What does the state do to curb these problems? Put up more speed cameras and heff up the fines! Logic at its best.
I am Belgian, 25 years old. I totally agree with the disastrous way of driving in my country. I think it's caused by the lack of lessons people got till 1970. When I started driving I got insight in the bad way of driving of my parents. Too fast, without giving signals etc. When I commented it, they laughed because I wanted tot drive conform the rules I just learned at the driving center. They haven't got lessons and the rules of traffic changed so many times, theu couldn(t care anymore. Younger people in my environment agree with me, and also prefer driving with rules!!Our roads are also often bad...but that's another story:-)And no, not everybody in a small country has a small mind..Those people can be found everywhere..When you drive through Belgium, think about the positive things of our country..
By the way, I've been driving through many European countries...In germany and France they als konw something about lacking the rules and driving toooo fast!
6 comments:
I totally agree! In my life I drove German, French, Holland, USA highways. The Belgian "style" of driving is simply not acceptable by any standards in all those other countries. Belgian drivers lack discipline and are more than often very rude. Even more, as I have observed the aggressive style is often seen as something to be proud of. Police force is very selective in reinforcing the rules.
As far as the quality of the highway service I also have to agree. The network of highways is good comparing to other countries but the quality is very bad. In Holland the quality is superior in my opinion, Germans constantly fix, and resurface their highways, Belgians... we all know.
I only hope that the saying "small country, small people, small minds" will not become synonymous with Belgium.
The Belgian communication system is plain sick. I think this comment from The Telegraph by David Rennie adequately describes the problem:
“No rules strike more fear into the hearts of overseas visitors to Belgium, or cause more rage among the thousands of foreign diplomats, Eurocrats and businessmen who live in Brussels.
Wherever foreigners' cars are parked, lines of dented and scraped right wings offer mute testament to the perils of the priority system, under which Belgian drivers may roar out of tiny side streets without even slowing.
To make things worse, Belgium operates a hybrid system. Priority on the right covers all junctions and roundabouts - except when there are small yellow and white diamond signs on posts beside the road, when priority reverts to the larger road and those entering from side streets must give way.”
But Belgians have an answer for this one as well: "Damn foreigners, this is Belgium".
Very mature reaction...
Having resided in Belgium for just over 2 years, I'm not certain about the comments regarding the aggressive and rude style of driving. It migrates more towards total incompetence.
Each week on my to/from work drives in the Antwerp region, accross 3rd world quality constructed streets & highways, I was inevitably faced with a delay caused by a road accident. Upon recahing the accident sight I was dumbfounded each time as how those involved actually managed to get their cars in such inexplicable positions. It was mind boggling, humourous, and concerning all at once.
Following regular traffic was another adventure. Drivers in front struggled with decisions whether to turn left, right or continue straight. The turn signal use became reminiscent of being stuck in an outdoor disco.
In their defense we should all consider that drivers permits in Belgium until the 1970's required no testing. You just went to the post office, paid your money, and off you went all smiles with your 10 euro permit and a two and a half tonne weapon under the seat of your pants.
The Belgian road system.....where terrorism truly exists.
We've just got back from a driving tour of France, Belgium and Germany. The Belgian drivers, were, frankly, abysmal, compared to the French or German drivers.
We lost count of the number of times we were "tailgated" by aggressive red number-plated vans, or witnessed Belgian cars meander over the painted lines, ie zero lane discipline.
The roads were shocking too. Full of weeds, unkempt, and dangerous pot-holes on the autoroutes, too.
I think you're actually being too light on them. Having lived here for over 3 years, I can honestly say that the road/driving system here is beyond laughing anymore. The road (including motorways) are worse then some you might see driving through a 3rd world country; people seem to think indicators are an after-thought, or better yet a confusion tactic; fog lights come on when its a bright sunny day; the slow lane is only used for people to undertake the people who refuse to acknowledge the slow lane exists and better yet mobile phones seem to be increasingly becoming a MANDATORY part of driving here.
What does the state do to curb these problems? Put up more speed cameras and heff up the fines! Logic at its best.
Hello!
I am Belgian, 25 years old. I totally agree with the disastrous way of driving in my country. I think it's caused by the lack of lessons people got till 1970. When I started driving I got insight in the bad way of driving of my parents. Too fast, without giving signals etc. When I commented it, they laughed because I wanted tot drive conform the rules I just learned at the driving center. They haven't got lessons and the rules of traffic changed so many times, theu couldn(t care anymore. Younger people in my environment agree with me, and also prefer driving with rules!!Our roads are also often bad...but that's another story:-)And no, not everybody in a small country has a small mind..Those people can be found everywhere..When you drive through Belgium, think about the positive things of our country..
By the way, I've been driving through many European countries...In germany and France they als konw something about lacking the rules and driving toooo fast!
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