Tom Waes potentially saved by crash cushions in Antwerp Ring accident

antwerp, belgium - Presenter and actor Tom Waes was involved in a serious accident on the Antwerp Ring, but potentially saved by crash cushions specially designed to minimize impact and consequences.

Presenter and actor Tom Waes was driving on the Antwerp Ring late at night when he crashed into a crash cushion. The crash cushion had been installed that night in preparation for planned roadworks.

Crash cushions are mandatory on Flemish highways during roadworks. They are designed to minimize the impact in case of accidents, making them essential for the safety of both road workers and users.

The crash cushion that Waes hit was three meters long and made of a special type of cardboard, capable of withstanding impacts up to 100 kilometers per hour. Thankfully, there have been no fatalities in Flanders due to collisions with crash cushions.

Unfortunately, Vias, the traffic institute, did not provide specific details on how the accident occurred. However, they noted that such accidents often result from perceptual errors or other factors like falling asleep, driving under the influence, or distraction.

This accident involving Tom Waes was classified as a single-vehicle accident, a common occurrence in Belgium. These types of accidents, which account for one-fifth of all accidents in Belgium, are usually more severe and lead to a high number of fatalities.

According to Stef Willems from Vias, reducing speed gradually near construction areas is crucial to prevent accidents. He advocates for dynamic speed management, which involves limiting speed even before roadworks begin to account for the complexities of driving in those zones.

It's important to implement clear and understandable road signs, even for foreign drivers, to enhance safety measures and reduce accidents involving crash cushions. Measures like movable rumble strips upstream of crash cushions can help minimize such accidents.