Last weekend a serious accident occurred on the Antwerp ring road near the Kennedy Tunnel, in which television producer Tom Waes was seriously injured.
The presenter was driving his Porsche classic car when he crashed into a so-called crash attenuator. These vehicles play a crucial role in securing roadworks and are required by law in Belgium for mobile construction sites. The incident has once again drawn attention to the importance and effectiveness of this indispensable safety measure.
A crash attenuator is a specially designed vehicle that is used for work on or along the road. The aim is to protect both road workers and passing traffic from possible accidents. The vehicles are strategically placed in front of or behind a mobile traffic construction site. A striking feature is the illuminated arrow on the roof of the vehicle, which instructs drivers to take evasive action. In addition, a crash attenuator has a shock-absorbing system that absorbs and reduces the impact in the event of a collision.
The system is designed to prevent serious damage, both for the occupants of an approaching vehicle and for the work zone and road workers. Although the crash absorber is effective in limiting injury and damage, the risk remains high at high speeds. Every year, dozens of crash absorbers are hit in Belgium, often with serious consequences.
Kennedy tunnel
In this weekend's accident, Tom Waes crashed into a crash absorber that had been set up at roadworks near the Kennedy Tunnel. The incident took place around 1 a.m. His Porsche classic car drove into the vehicle at considerable speed, causing a major impact. Waes suffered serious injuries and was taken to the intensive care unit of a local hospital. No other vehicles were involved in the accident.
The crash absorber may have prevented worse. The impact was largely absorbed by the system, which reduced the chance of even more serious injuries or damage to the construction site. Police and emergency services emphasize the importance of such safety vehicles, but point out that drivers must remain alert during roadworks.
In Belgium, crash attenuators have been mandatory for mobile road works for many years. This measure was introduced to minimize the risks for road workers and drivers. Road works are a vulnerable environment: workers work close to passing traffic, often in poor visibility conditions or at times of high traffic. The crash attenuator acts as a buffer and prevents an accident from directly endangering human lives.
The legal requirement stems from the harsh reality that accidents at roadworks occur regularly. Crash attenuators are a proven effective measure to limit damage. The device is designed to absorb the impact of a collision and bring the vehicle to a standstill without causing serious injury to the driver of the oncoming vehicle. The system also protects the work area itself, thereby reducing expensive and time-consuming repair work.
hard numbers
Despite the obligation, several serious accidents with crash absorbers occur every year. Often, it concerns drivers who drive too fast or do not pay enough attention when approaching road works. Distraction by smartphones or fatigue often plays a role. Crash absorbers are an essential safety feature, but do not offer complete protection at high speeds or extreme impact.
Tom Waes' accident highlights the importance of crash attenuators in the fight against roadworks accidents. Although the system is designed to save lives and limit damage, caution from drivers remains essential. Road users are repeatedly called upon to take speed limits and roadworks signs seriously. This incident, which fortunately did not end fatally, is a powerful reminder of the risks and importance of road safety.
