Flemish MP for the Green Party, Stijn Bex, temporarily wants to lower the speed on motorways to 100 km/h during daytime hours, but Flemish Mobility Minister Lydia Peeters has responded that this is "not a good proposal."
The lower speed limit should only apply until 19:00 – as is already the case in the Netherlands – and would save drivers some 0.7 to 1.5 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, according to the Green Party.
"Many already do it to save fuel, but if we do it together, we save more. And it is safer," Bex said. "Good for everyone and everything, except Putin."
Former Green president Meyrem Almaci added that the International Energy Agency (IEA) and several transport experts recommend lowering the speed limit on motorways. "It is good for the environment, for our health (smog!) and for the wallet. In the Netherlands, it has already been introduced by a liberal government for all these reasons. Because it works."
Flemish Mobility Minister Lydia Peeters, however, stated that it would not be a good idea to start introducing "ad hoc speed reductions" or an "anti-car policies."
"Everyone should have the free choice to adjust their driving behaviour themselves," she told Het Laatste Nieuws on Thursday morning. When asked what the Flemish Government is doing, Peeters said that it is investing in infrastructure for cyclists and charging points for electric cars.
The Green Party made the proposal in response to the skyrocketing fuel prices at petrol stations. "I think this is an interesting solution, without limiting your freedom - as you can still take the car," said Green group leader in the Flemish Parliament Björn Rzoska.
"As far as we are concerned, it is a good proposal that does not hurt people much. It mainly hurts Putin," he added.
