Images surfaced from cyclists and mopeds who cross closed railway crossing at their leisure: « It will be your child » (interior)
On social media, images of cyclists and moped riders who cross a closed level crossing on the border of Ghent and Destelbergen have been crossed at their leisure. « They were like a herd of sheep, » says the man who filmed. « As soon as one crossed, they did it all. »
The video was made around 3.40 pm last Monday. Close to the railway of Beelbroekstraat and Stationsstraat, on the border of Sint-Amandsberg with Destelbergen, a train stands still. As a result, the barriers remain closed for a while.
At one point, three cyclists decide to cross the closed level crossing at the risk of their own life. Immediately afterwards a cyclist and a moped rider, who are waiting on the other side, follow their example.
« How stupid is that? » You hear the man who made the video. « A few workmen still signed that they had to stop, » he says afterwards. « But they were like a herd of sheep. If one crosses, they all do it. It will be your child or grandchild. »
Dangerous
In 2024, 346 incidents took place in our country with closed consideration. Five people were killed and eight seriously injured. « Every accident is one too many, » says Thomas Baeken, spokesperson at Infrabel. « Not the least because those accidents can be perfectly avoided. »
People often ignore the closed barrier and the red light because they are rushed or reckless. « People see a train in the distance and think that they still have enough time to cross. But if a train runs 160 kilometers per hour, it is in a finger. »
When a train is reflected in a level crossing, such as in the video, another train can still pass by on the other track. If you cross, you play with your life. It can also yield fines of up to 4,000 euros, and a driving ban for up to five years.
If you don’t want to wait any longer at the railway, you can always drive to the next level crossing. If a car is stuck on the level crossing, call the number 1711 to avoid a collision.
