To reduce the number of traffic casualties on our roads, we must look beyond individual measures. We must take an integrated approach to the system to achieve the objectives of the Flanders Road Safety Plan. Because safe behavior of road users is important, but not enough. We need a system that promotes safe behavior and minimizes the consequences of mistakes.
Safe traffic only happens when all the parts work together and reinforce each other. It is harder to behave safely in an environment that is unsafe, where the rules are unclear and where there is no one to hold you accountable for your behavior. So behavior change is not achieved with education and campaigns alone, but by combining those components with clear policies, safe infrastructure, new technology, consistent enforcement and critical evaluation. Think of a symphony orchestra: no matter how good the musicians are individually, the music sounds best when all the instruments play together.
A safe traffic system is like a chain: the chain is only strong if all the links are strong. To make traffic safer in Flanders, there is a need for a systems approach. As long as one of the links is too weak, the chain remains fragile. So every link counts.