Dutch gov't party supports banning dangerous fireworks

Coalition party ChristenUnie supports banning banger- and rocket fireworks in the Netherlands. The Christian party is the first government party to give an opinion on the Dutch Safety Board's advice to do so, RTL Nieuws reports.

The Board called New Year's the most dangerous time in the Netherlands and said that it is time to break the "pattern of many injuries and disturbances". The Dutch Safety Board concluded that bangers or crackers and rockets should be banned because they cause the most injuries and disturbances. Many people are injured by firework rockets each year, according to the board. These rockets are shot out of someone's hand, sometimes aimed at bystanders or shot from shaky bottles. Firecrackers cause major nuisance problems and "invite reckless behavior", the Safety Board said.

"We really want New Year's to be a party for everyone and that is not the case at the moment. There are many incidents of eye injury, a lot of nuisance and people who are hit by fireworks and have to go to the hospital", ChristenUnie parliamentarian Carla Dik-Faber said. She added that the party doesn't support a total ban on consumer fireworks. "Stop the most dangerous fireworks. With all the other fireworks and of course the oliebollen, we make it a fun party for everyone."

The government is still considering a response to the Safety Board's recommendations. The VVD and CDA said that they will wait for the government's response before taking a position themselves. Minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus of Justice and Security previously stated that he will discuss the recommendations with the police and mayors.

GroenLinks, 50Plus, animal party PvdD, and SGP all expressed support for such a ban.