Aggressions against learner drivers have become increasingly frequent on Belgium’s roads, the Touring mobility organization noted on Saturday.
The Federation of Driving Schools has also observed this trend, Belga News Agency reports.
The abusive behaviour includes verbal aggression, fishtailing, sudden overtaking, and excessive use of flashing lights, all of which create a sense of insecurity in the learner driver.
According to Touring, the number of reported incidents of this nature went from 208 in 2019 to 2,015 in 2020. In 2021 the figure was also high – 261 – despite the Coronavirus crisis.
The mobility organisation feels the L sign needs to be displayed not only at the back of vehicles but also in front. It is not allowed on windscreens, lights, or license plates, but can be placed on the bumper or hood. In this way, people passing in front of the car can see that it is being driven by a trainee driver.
Touring also stressed that people with provisional driver’s licenses need to be able to get enough driving practice.
