Extra warnings for traffic jams by German border being added after two fatal accidents

Rijkswaterstaat announced plans to place clearer warning signs by the A1 near the German border this week, alerting drivers to expect traffic jams due to border controls. A spokesperson of Rijkswaterstaat Oost-Nederland confirmed this after a report from Tubantia. The plan to place the additional signs was part of the infrastructure agencie's response to two fatal accidents that happened in the last ten days at the border crossing in De Lutte, Overijssel.

Since September 16, the German police have been performing random passport controls at several border crossings, including at De Lutte. The controls regularly lead to delays and traffic.

A 31-year-old man from Poland lost his life on Tuesday due to a collision with a truck on the A1 by De Lutte. According to the police, there was a traffic jam at the time because of the border controls, although it is still unclear how much of a role that played in the accident.

A 26-year-old man from Hengelo died last week after he had also crashed into a truck. This was also when there was a traffic jam by the border.

Drivers are warned from the start of the border controls for traffic, with signs on the side of the road saying this. However, the two fatal accidents have led the Rijkswaterstaat to increase these warnings and warn the drivers on the A1 of the traffic at an earlier stage.

"We are now also going to place this signaling a little further away from the border," said the spokesperson. The exact reason for the fatal accidents is unknown. The police are still investigating the incidents.