Belgium/Pupils at the Foyer de Roucourt learn about the dangers of two-wheelers
319 people were killed or seriously injured in accidents while riding a two-wheeler: bicycles, electric scooters, scooters, motorcycles. These are the figures for 2023 from the Walloon road safety agency.
Young people in particular need to be made aware of this, since we also know that two-wheelers make them particularly vulnerable, and that 15-29 year-olds are the group most affected by fatal accidents.
Accident figures
The Belgian statistics institute points out in its figures that the province of Hainaut is particularly affected by road accidents, with 98 people dying in accidents in 2023.
Raising young people's awareness in schools
To prevent accidents, particularly those involving two-wheelers, the fédémot association is raising awareness among young people in schools.
This Wednesday, it was at the foyer de Roucourt, a specialized school in the Péruwelz area, where the focus is on integrating young people into working life through practical training.
This training is part of a pedagogical project at the Foyer de Roucourt, a specialized school for young people with psycho-social difficulties. As Carole Dewintère, social worker at the Foyer de Roucourt, explains, the Foyer has set up a whole social integration program for these young people, who have just completed training in horticulture, carpentry, welding, bodywork and masonry: "These are our students who are in their final year and possibly leaving. This year's project, at least for our third-phase students, was really about opening their minds to the outside world. So, whether it be: mutual insurance companies, unions for job hunting; but also meetings with different organizations such as the army, the police and others. The Roucourt hostel provides accommodation and support for over 200 young people.
Source: www.rtbf.be/
