RAI: “The speed limit must be reduced to 30 km/h in every city”

Since December 8, 2023, speeds of only 30 km/h have been allowed in large parts of Amsterdam. According to the RAI association, this speed limit should apply in every city.

“We now live with 18 million people on this small piece of land,” RAI Association chairman Frits Verbruggen told AD. “We own more than 9 million cars and 23 million bicycles.”

Road deaths in the Netherlands

“Last year 745 people died in Dutch traffic and more than 20,000 people are injured every year. That’s too much. In order for our cities to remain livable and safe, something urgently needs to change.”

In the interview with Van Bruggen there is talk of a “growing number of road deaths”. This means the increase to 745 in 2022. In the eleven years before that, the number of deaths fluctuated between 550 and 650.

Uniform speed limit

The RAI association and Veilig Verkeer Nederland are of the opinion that uniform traffic rules should apply throughout the country. This is intended to ensure less confusion among road users.

Van Bruggen: “In some places cyclists have priority in the roundabout, in other places cars have priority.” Not only that has to change, but also the speed limit, he believes.

Maximum speed 30 km/h

The RAI association advocates a maximum speed of 30 km/h in all cities. This speed limit must apply to all streets without separate lanes (i.e. without cycle paths).

It’s all about the right balance

“You want to separate as many modes of transport as possible that differ in speed, weight and size,” says Van Bruggen. “Trucks and cyclists shouldn’t actually meet each other at all.”

“If we want to keep cities accessible and livable, we need to strengthen the position of cyclists and pedestrians. Motor vehicles must maintain access to the city, but it is also important to strike the right balance.”