Where it is already possible, the cities are reducing the speed on 50 kilometer roads to 30 kilometers per hour. In October the House of Representatives adopted a motion to introduce 30 kilometers per hour within built-up areas as the standard from now on. In Spain, for example, such a speed reduction is already entered. The city of Brussels also reduced the speed, after which the number of traffic accidents sharply down went.
This summer, the Road Safety Research Foundation a call lowering the speed limit to 15 kilometers per hour on streets without footpaths. The organization received support for this proposal from Safe Traffic Netherlands and the CROW traffic institute.
Adjustments needed
The city does not need a complete overhaul to implement the speed reduction, says Amsterdam alderman De Vries. “It is best to introduce the 30 rule everywhere at once, so that the standard is clear for everyone, and then make the necessary adjustments to the roads in the coming years.”
According to traffic psychologist Gerard Tertoolen, a direct adjustment of the roads is indeed necessary. “If you just put up a different speed sign, drivers will continue to drive faster and that only makes it less safe.” With effective adjustments, he thinks of narrowing the road (optical) or replacing asphalt with cobblestones. “Enforcement is also important, of course.”
Concerns at public transport companies
The municipal public transport companies of Amsterdam (GVB), Rotterdam (RET) and The Hague (HTM) fear that the speed reduction will have adverse consequences for public transport. The companies believe that the speed reduction will make public transport slower and less attractive.
“We call on the central government and municipalities to take into account the ambition to accelerate urban public transport in the plans,” the companies write in a statement. They argue for the creation of priority roads, free lanes and, where possible, an exception for public transport from the maximum speed of 30 kilometers per hour.
Tomorrow the theme of road safety will be on the debate agenda of the House of Representatives.
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