In The Hague they expect an increase in the number of traffic accidents in the coming years, and solutions are therefore being sought. To help Minister Barry Madlener (PVV) get started, we submitted a number of Drenthe suggestions to an expert. ‘Ban on headphones is very effective.’
The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management today launched the website hoeveiligonderweg.nl, where Dutch people can indicate what they think about certain traffic measures.
“This also includes measures that are not in line with the ministry’s current plans. For example, people can indicate their preference for the introduction of mandatory helmet use, while the ministry is now committed to encouraging voluntary use of helmets,” it says. ministry.
Such a helmet requirement is sensitive, according to reactions from followers of RTV Drenthe on social media. One is in favor of a general helmet requirement, the other is against or in favor of a requirement for children up to the age of 16 and e-bike users.
There seems to be consensus that something needs to be done. According to many, there are enough rules, but people should above all stick to them. Among the responses on Facebook and Instagram are a number of concrete adjustments to current policy and ways to ensure that current rules work better. Traffic psychologist Cees Wildervanck responds to the suggestions.
Sabrina is clear in her response, she calls for higher penalties. “That would make no sense,” Wildervanck is also clear.
The traffic psychologist explains: “It is often said: then they will learn. But for a punishment to be meaningful at all, you have to have the feeling that you will be caught if you commit a violation. The subjective chance of being caught is very small, that is precisely the problem in the Netherlands.”
The amount of a traffic fine is also not a problem for some people. “A rich guy in a Bentley doesn’t mind if he gets a receipt for 400 euros. For someone who has to do his best to make ends meet, such a receipt is a disaster. There is a social injustice in that.”
There are countries where the fine is determined in proportion to income. Wildervanck is in favor of this. “But that is very complicated to implement.”
Rodenaar Thobias wants more controls, especially the use of mobile phones behind the wheel. “Both cyclists and cars.” More controls and enforcement, would that be a better option?
Wildervanck continues on the subjective chance of being caught. “I’ve heard that there’s a 1 in 2,000 chance you’ll get caught.” According to the traffic psychologist, people are less likely to commit violations if the chance of being caught increases.
“You can also increase the perceived risk of being caught. This can be done, for example, by communicating that you are going to check on the A28. If you see that a few times as a driver, then you have to be careful. It is then important that the police actually is visibly checking every now and then.”
Fines are so high ‘that no officer wants to fine anymore’, says Marijn. Although he comes from Zeeland, he is involved in the Drenthe discussion. He advocates lower fines. ‘The police must play an educational role in traffic’.
“A very original idea,” says Wildervanck. “I have also heard voices in the police world that they sometimes find it morally irresponsible and therefore think: then I will not punish.”
“I myself once drove too fast and was stopped. I drove 80 on a road where you were allowed to go 60,” he says. “I honestly had not seen the sign, the road also looked so 80s-ish. Then the officer said: then we will make it 65 on the ticket. The police can compromise on that.”
That is only possible at speeds, a phone in the hand is black and white. “What is true is that standing up has made a much more impression than receiving a note at home two days later.”
Quite a few people think that earphones and headphones should be banned in traffic. Henk and Trijnie from Hoogeveen, for example: “They don’t even hear the traffic.”
A ban on earphones is ‘very effective’ according to Wildervanck. “The problem is that it is so difficult to check. Then you have to take a bus or camper onto the road and look into the cars to check that.”
According to Wildervanck, that has little effect. “The fact that people do not follow the rules is not a lack of knowledge, but of will.” In addition, it is a significant investment for the government and road users.
“What I see more in is giving young drivers another course on risk perception a few months after they get their driver’s license.” He aims, among other things, at providing insight into the braking distance by having to fully press the brakes at different speeds.
Judging from the online reactions, using the phone behind the wheel is an annoyance for many. Gerard comes up with a rigorous measure: “Mobile required in the trunk.”
“The most effective way to prevent unwanted behavior is to simply make it impossible,” Wildervanck responds to the suggestion. The trunk is possible, but there are also technical solutions. “There are apps that can do it. But the driver has to turn them on himself. You have to ensure that the car is built in such a way that the phone simply does not work if you work faster than one or two kilometers per hour.”
The common response to this is that it would be technically difficult. “We were able to put people on the moon years ago, so this will also work,” says Wildervanck. And that other passengers cannot text or play games? “Too bad. It’s a good exercise to wean them off their phone use.”