ISA and policy in Belgium
2507 Belgian were questioned in 2000 about the implementation of a mandatory ISA-system. Only 3 out of 10 disagreed, but 70% of these people were fond of a voluntary system.
These figures about a possible carrying capacity among the general public did not convince policy-makers. Most of them were still prejudiced against ISA. Some strategies can be taken to change these biased opinions: spread out information, organisation of hearings in parliaments, organisation of demonstrations to let policy-makers drive with ISA.
Another and even better method is to convince policy-makers to participate in ISA-trials. Having policy-makers as a role-model in ISA-driving can have an important role in the creation of a carrying capacity of ISA between policy-makers and to the general public. Therefore 5 of the test-drivers in the Ghent trial were chosen because they had a higher function at the council of Ghent, institution or company and their public role in society. These role-models in the Ghent trial and the given demonstrations have led to more publicity in the media, a better known concept by the general public and a higher topic within policy. This more positive image and the better knowledge of ISA as a possible measure in road-safety led to several voted resolutions in the Belgian federal parliament and senate.
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See the report with the former minister of mobility Anciaux driving with ISA in Ghent (in Dutch). (VRT/TV1: 'Nieuws' 04/02/2004; NL) Report according to the hearing
about ISA in the senate (in French).
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