The roundabout that connects the Marquettelaan, Ridder Arnoudlaan and Bachstraat has been known as dangerous for ages. Road safety reporter Bliq even labeled the intersection as one of the most dangerous traffic locations in Noord-Holland.
It is striking that most accidents happen at relatively low speed. It is clear to councilor Anita Peré-Meijer: the meters high hedge (on the right in the image above) is the culprit that hinders the sight. But residents and the municipality don’t want to know anything about that.
Not the hedge, but the people
From their home, a Heemskerk’s couple watches, who wants to stay anonymous, right on the roundabout. They regularly see cyclists who just escape cars. “It’s a life -threatening point,” they say. “Not because of the hedge, but by drivers who ride the roundabout without speeding up.”
Other residents also point out to the high speeds. “Sometimes they drive here at 60, 70 kilometers per hour. It looks like a race track,” says Mr. Baltus. Mrs Van Tunen, who has been living at the roundabout for 45 years, thinks De Heg is a safety measure: “As a result, motorists have to stop. In the past they just tore on.”