41 percent of all fatal traffic accidents occur on provincial roads. This is according to police figures. Reason for Veilig Verkeer Nederland (VVN) to lower the maximum speed outside built-up areas. Instead of eighty kilometers per hour, you would then be allowed to drive a maximum of sixty kilometers per hour.
“These are often narrow roads, where you drive close to each other and with thick trees along the side of the road,” explains Rob Stomphorst of VVN. The organization also advocates more speed checks and higher fines. “Not realistic,” says traffic psychologist Cees Wildervanck. “If a road is not adjusted, but you do place other speed signs, then that makes no sense at all. Those signs are often overlooked. And a wide road simply invites you to drive faster.”
Just like Wildervanck, various authorities have reacted critically to the plan. It could even cause more accidents. “Some will stick to the speed of sixty, but some will not. And then people will overtake each other, well that is life-threatening on such a road. Motorists can also hit each other at the back if you are not paying attention and someone is in front of you.” you drive a lot slower. So no, that’s not going to reduce the number of victims.”
Driving softer works in theory, but then you have to adjust the road accordingly. “And that is not possible in the short term,” says Wildervanck. “You could do something with speed cameras in a dangerous place, but that doesn’t really help. People then let off the gas, but as soon as they are past the speed camera they step on the gas again to make up for lost time. So on in the long term you can adjust roads so that you can’t go faster than sixty kilometers per hour, but in the short term it’s just patchwork.”