The speed management situation in The Netherlands

Problem description

Accurate information regarding the percentage of accidents in the Netherlands that is caused directly by speeding or inappropriate speed is not available. The reason for this is that it is very difficult to determine whether the cause of an accident involved inappropriate speed, as few police officers report inappropriate speed as cause of an accident (SWOV, 2006). In general, inappropriate speed is estimated to be a major cause in 1/3 of all the fatal accidents (e.g. OECD, 2006; SWOV, 2007).

There are different estimates regarding the percentage of speeding drivers in the Netherlands. The OECD (2006) estimated that on Dutch Highways 40%-45% of the drivers drive above the speed limit, on rural roads this is approximately 45% and on urban roads this percentage lies between 45% (local street) and 73% (arterial road). In a bi-annual driving behaviour study (based on self reporting), drivers indicated that their average speed on roads with 120 km/h speed limit was 123 km/h and on rural roads (80 km/h speed limit) the average speed was 82,4 km/h. Within the build environment the average speeds on roads with 50 km/h and 30 km/h speed limits were respectively 51.6 km/h and 32.8 km/h (Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat, 2005).

In the same study, drivers indicated the following motives for speeding: traffic conditions or rounding (35%), unawareness of the speed limit (15%), hurry (25%), for fun (22%), and out of boredom (4%). Some 44% of the drivers indicated always to comply with the speed limit.

When it comes to speeding the results of research in the Netherlands (see, Ministry of Transport Public Works and Water Management, 2005) shows three categories of drivers, based upon their speed choices. Table 1 gives the main characteristics of the three groups labeled "speed limit compliers", "incidental offenders" and "notorious offenders".

Existing measures

In the Netherlands several policies against speeding have been implemented at national, regional and local levels. On a national level, safety goals have been set in the Dutch National Mobility Plan (2004). Based upon these goals and targets, the national government makes agreements with the individual provinces regarding traffic safety targets and budget for coming years. Reality shows that an estimated one third of all fatalities are due to speeding, so on all levels of public authority speed enforcement and speed management are considered important policy options and priorities (see http://www.esafetysupport.org/en/esafety_activities/national_level/the_netherlands.htm). This resulted in 1) infrastructural changes (infrastructural traffic calming measures) such as roundabouts, speed humps and chicanes etc. 2) increased enforcement, speed cameras on motorways, secondary roads and urban areas while new enforcement techniques are being developed, tested and implemented for e.g. trajectory speed enforcement etc. 3) pilots with in-vehicle solutions (such as Intelligent Speed Assistance).

To give an extra impulse to road traffic safety the "sustainable road safety program" was created. In this policy program the local authorities (municipalities), provinces, district water boards and the national government committed to agreed traffic safety targets, i.e. a first reduction of traffic casualties in 2000 (reference year 1985) and a second reduction of 40% road traffic injuries and 50% road traffic fatalities in 2010 (reference year 1986).

The first phase of the "sustainable road safety program" finished in 2001. The first phase was very successful and with a limited budget significant traffic safety gains were accomplished, which resulted in meeting the set target for 2000 (a reduction of 25% casualties compared to 1985). Concrete measures were, for example:

• The total road infrastructure divided into arterial roads and residential areas, as a first step to categorizing the road network.
• Within the build environment, 30km/h zones were expanded (both in number and size).
• In the rural environment, the 60km/h zones were expanded (both in number and size).
• Police enforcement will be stimulated by working together on a regional basis. The national government will look into the possibilities of governmental maintaining possibilities.
• The national government will also take care of big national traffic safety campaigns.

Currently phase II of the sustainable road safety program has come to effect. Phase II focuses on: Safely arranged infrastructure, Traffic education and information, Influencing behaviour, Enforcement and rules, In-vehicle technologies.

Next to the sustainable safety program there is also the "Roads to the Future: bringing the future closer through innovative pilots" program. Roads to the Future examines the innovative challenges for the Dutch Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management, develops perspectives and initiates concrete pilot projects (see http://www.wegennaardetoekomst.nl). During the program several in-vehicle technologies, aimed at reducing speeding, have been tested as part of the "roads to the future program", examples are:

• "Belonitor", a system of rewarding good drivers (amongst others, monitoring speed behaviour)
• "Driving assistant" (cars equipped with, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control)
• Development of a database with speed limit information.

Next to these programs there are several local initiatives that are deployed, for instance:

• The informative road of the province "Noord Brabant", informing drivers regarding their speed, speed headway and travel time info.
• The ISA trial that was conducted in Tilburg.
• The ISI trial currently taking place in Waalwijk. An in vehicle device Informing drivers around schools when they bare speeding
• Some enforcement units of municipalities acquired laser guns for civilians to be used to monitor speeds at places were they think speeding is a big problem (e.g. the municipality of Helmond).
• Pilots with trajectory control (especially in cases of roadworks).
• Numerous other local initiatives.

Success stories (or case study)

Traffic casualties keep on declining in the Netherlands, the overall policy package seems to be successful (also see the mentioned success of "sustainable road safety program").

What is needed for the future?

What is lacking is an effective measure to reduce speeding by the drivers in the notorious offender's category (see table 1).