Amsterdam wants to reduce the speed limit on most streets to 30 kilometers per hour from December 8 to make traffic safer. This is the first time that a city has adjusted the maximum speed limit on such a large scale at once, and other cities such as Rotterdam and Utrecht are gradually implementing the adjustment.
A spokesperson for Amsterdam City Councillor Melanie van der Horst (Transport) said there were an average of more than three accidents a day on busy roads and cycle lanes in Amsterdam and Wesp. "The city wants to improve road safety by adjusting speed limits. The goal is not only to reduce the number of accidents, but also to increase the chances of survival after an accident. ”
There is a better chance of surviving an accident.
A 2019 study by the Society for Road Safety Science Research (SWOV) showed that at 30 kilometers per hour (kmh), a pedestrian's chance of surviving a collision with a car increases to 95%, i.e. 10% higher than at 50 km/h. In addition, if all road users slow down, the number of accidents is expected to decrease by 20 to 30 percent.
Drivers have more time to react to unexpected situations, shorter braking distances, and a wider field of vision, which significantly improves road safety. This adjustment also reduces noise and leads to a safer, quieter environment for everyone.
Execute. Enforcing the new 30 km/h speed limit in Amsterdam is a challenge for the city, as it's not just a matter of exchanging traffic signs. Wendy Weijermars of SWOV said successful law enforcement also requires a redesign of the road. "It's not just about adjusting the speed. ”
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