Concerns grow over safety of road inspectors after surge in accidents
The safety of road inspectors working for Rijkswaterstaat has become a growing concern following a sharp increase in accidents involving their vehicles. In 2024, nearly every three weeks saw an accident involving a road inspector's vehicle, a significant rise compared to previous years.
Wim Grevenstuk, a road inspector for Rijkswaterstaat, recalled a close call on the A27, saying, "I suddenly heard a crash. It was loud enough for me to hear from 300 meters away. The driver had not seen my vehicle," he said, describing the impact that severely damaged the front of his truck. Fortunately, no one was injured.
The nature of the work that road inspectors do puts them in dangerous situations. As traffic speeds past, inspectors are often called to ensure safety during breakdowns, accidents, or to clear debris from the road. They also assist emergency services in performing their duties. The increase in accidents—16 in total, more than three times the previous year—has raised alarms about the risks road inspectors face on a daily basis.
Robert-Jaap Voorn, Director of Road Traffic Management at Rijkswaterstaat, attributed the spike in accidents to distracted driving, although he admitted that there is no clear explanation for the rise. "We suspect people are not focusing enough on their driving," he said. The increase in accidents has been especially alarming in the past few months, with no clear pattern of when or where they occur—ranging from times when matrix signs are visible to situations with 'red crosses' marking closed lanes, and in both heavy and light traffic conditions.
Despite public campaigns launched by Rijkswaterstaat to raise awareness, including one in August 2024, the problem persists. Voorn noted that distractions, such as phone usage, alcohol, and drugs, have played a role in these accidents. "In one recent crash, we later found that substance use was involved," Voorn said. While Rijkswaterstaat has tried to mitigate risks by enforcing strict protocols for inspectors and ensuring their vehicles are highly visible, the issue remains unresolved.
The financial costs of these accidents are significant, with damages nearing 2 million euros. However, as Voorn pointed out, the cost of human lives is far greater than any damage to vehicles. Last year, only one inspector sustained minor injuries, but the risk of something more severe happening is ever-present.
In one incident, an inspector narrowly avoided being struck by a truck after noticing it in his rearview mirror. "He jumped out just in time," Voorn said, emphasizing the close calls that inspectors face regularly.
Rijkswaterstaat has also begun providing real-time data to the National Road Data Portal, which helps navigation systems alert drivers about potential hazards. While this system is still in its early stages and works best with smartphone navigation, it offers hope for future safety improvements. Additionally, Rijkswaterstaat is exploring other technological solutions, though those are still in the development phase.
In the meantime, road inspectors are pleading with drivers to be more focused and aware on the roads. "Adjust your driving behavior," Grevenstuk urged. "Show some respect for the work we do. We're here to help with breakdowns and accidents, and we work to clear the roads as quickly as possible. But please, be mindful of us. We also want to make it home safely."
