🚀 New feature alert! Find the best businesses for internationals on DutchReview's Business Directory

Take it slow: Amsterdam to reduce speed limit to 30 km/h

If you’re used to cruising down the streets of Amsterdam at the regular 50 km/h, you might need to get used to something else soon — the municipality of Amsterdam wants to introduce a maximum speed limit of 30 km/h from 2023. 

This plan is part of an effort to improve road safety in the busy capital. “We know that many Amsterdammers feel unsafe in traffic,” writes the municipality in a statement.

Traffic accidents were responsible for nearly 15 injuries per week and one death per month in 2020. Reducing the speed limit can help reduce the number of serious accidents by up to 30%. 

Consultation period

In the true Dutch spirit, the capital is not simply enforcing this new regulation. Instead, they first launched a so-called consultation period, where residents have the opportunity to share their thoughts about the plan until October 3. 

Throughout autumn, the municipality will then organise numerous discussions about traffic safety in the capital. A final decision about the new speed limit is expected to be made by the end of 2021. 

Less noise 

Reducing the speed limit will also result in less noise and fewer cars on the road, as people are expected to take the car less often and instead walk, cycle, or take public transport. 

“A lower maximum speed ensures that urban traffic is better coordinated,” tells traffic alderman Egbert de Vries Het Parool

READ MORE | Lightyear One: Dutch solar powered car can drive 710km on a single charge

Other Dutch cities such as Rotterdam and Groningen are also considering lowering their speed limits. 

What do you think of the capital’s plan to set the speed limit to 30 km/h? Let us know in the comments below!

Feature Image: olgacov/Depositphotos

Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
Jana Vondráčková 🇨🇿
Originally from the Czech Republic, Jana moved to the Netherlands for her studies. She fell in love with the local biking culture, and you’ll see her drifting through the streets of Rotterdam on her pink bike even in the worst possible weather (think rain, snow, hail, or all three). Besides advocating for Rotterdam as the best Dutch city, she likes to wander around with a camera in her hand.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related posts

Latest posts

The museum town of the Netherlands: 14 great museums to visit in Leiden

Tired of the museums in Amsterdam and devoured all that the museums in the other major cities have to offer? Don't worry, the Netherlands...

The Dutch Senate just rejected a work-from-home bill; now what?

Sorry, everyone, but it’s official: our time spent working from the sofa wearing sweatpants won’t be regulated by Dutch law. Instead, it’ll stay up...

Save like a pro (the Dutch) with this money-saving life hack

You’re probably not interested in hearing about inflation and the rising costs of living again, so we’ll keep it short: it sucks. Now on...

It's happening

Upcoming events

The latest Dutch news.
In your inbox.