Double speed traps, alcohol checks to save lives: report

A study by the ANWB and the Foundation for Road Safety Research (SWOV) has come up with 18 measures to reduce the number of traffic related deaths and injuries. The Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment is looking at what measures will be taken, NOS reports. By 2020 Minister Schults wants fatalities to drop to 500 (570 in 2013) and serious injuries to drop to 10,600 (18,800 in 2013). Measures were put in to place last year to achieve these goals, but they do not appear to be sufficient. Which is why the Minister requested an additional study. In the study the ANWB and SWOV came up with 18 measures including doubling speed traps, doubling alcohol tests, better lighting for road users, higher fines for multiple offenses, a alcohol lock for specific groups (such as new drivers, company car drivers, professional drivers and addicts) and a mandatory helmet fro children, the elderly and moped riders. The researchers examined what effect each of these measures would have in the number of fatalities. A bicycle helmet for children would result in up to 5 fewer fatalities, the alcohol lock in 15 fewer fatalities and the doubling of speed traps in 70 fewer fatalities.