The speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour in force since Friday in the Dutch capital has led to large traffic jams and irritated drivers, wrote the daily “De Telegraaf”. “Even bicycles are overtaking us, and not only electric ones,” one of them complained.
The current speed limit should reduce the number of serious accidents by 20-30 percent, the local government declares. From October this year the city hall ran a campaign informing that from December 8 this year a new limit will be introduced.
Lower speed limit, greater safety
“By driving a little slower, you help everyone in our city move safely. As a driver, you have a wider field of vision and can react faster in unexpected situations,” emphasizes the city hall and argues that the noise level will also decrease. However, this optimism is not shared by many drivers in the capital. As “De Telegraaf” reports, they complain about the “snail’s pace” of driving and claim that the new regulations have led to greater traffic jams in the city. – This is crazy. Even bicycles are overtaking us, and not only electric ones, one of the drivers told the newspaper.
New speed limit in AmsterdamTVN24
New signs have already appeared in the city informing about the speed limit. Mainly – in the central parts of Amsterdam. In addition, some roads have a speed limit of 50 km/h.
New signs on the streets of AmsterdamTVN24
Experts calculate that thanks to the new regulations, there may be up to one third fewer accidents in Amsterdam than currently. To start with, local authorities announce monitoring of routes with new speed limits. If drivers do not adapt, more signs and speed cameras will appear on the roads. Then enforcement of the regulations will be more stringent. Similar regulations already apply in other European cities, including: In NorwaySpain, France or in Italy.
Main photo source: TVN24