Road and traffic safety
In 2008, there were 750 road fatalities in the Netherlands, reflecting a reduction mostly among vulnerable road users such as children, youth and young adults.
There was a total of 791 road fatalities in 2007, continuing the downward trend seen in recent years. Figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and the Centre for Transport and Navigation (DVS) of the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management (VenW) reflect this trend. Furthermore, Eurostat data reveals that, of the EU Member States, the Netherlands – after Malta – has the second fewest number of road fatalities per million residents.
VenW has set itself the target of reducing the number of road fatalities to a maximum of 500 by 2020. This is an ambitious aim, especially as the Netherlands is already a world leader in road safety.
Several measures have been identified to achieve this reduction. First, those who jeopardise road safety (i.e. those who speed or drink and drive) will be dealt with more severely. Second, vulnerable road users (e.g. pedestrians, cyclists, children and the elderly) will be offered more protection.
Further information about the VenW targets and the new measures being taken to reduce the number of road fatalities are outlined in the Strategic Road Safety Plan 2008-2020.
