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.
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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
