Fewer traffic accidents overall, but more involving pedestrians and cyclists
The number of traffic accidents in the Netherlands fell last year, but roads grew more dangerous for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists, according to new figures from Rijkswaterstaat.
Total crashes dropped to just over 126,000 in 2024, leaving 675 people dead, nearly 25,000 injured, and more than 100,000 cases of property damage, AD reports.
Yet 21,500 cyclists were involved in accidents — the highest in at least a decade. Motorcycle crashes topped 3,800, also a 10-year high, while pedestrian casualties rose by 600 to nearly 2,300, the most since 2018.
The road safety institute SWOV warned fatalities could rise to 930 a year by 2060, mainly because of cycling accidents, with serious injuries climbing from 7,400 to almost 11,900 annually. Aging is reportedly a key factor, as more older people are killed or seriously hurt on the roads.
Safe Traffic Netherlands (Veilig Verkeer Nederland, VVN) called for stronger enforcement and wider helmet use. “The police must ensure safety in the Netherlands. That includes road safety,” a spokesperson said. The group wants one in four cyclists wearing helmets, stressing it would not push for mandatory use. “It is good that older people remain active by cycling, and we see that the stigma around helmets is decreasing,” the spokesperson said.
VVN also pointed to research by engineering firm Sweco showing 2.3 billion euros in road safety investments could yield more than 9 billion euros in health benefits. Municipalities are preparing pilot projects to test maximum speed limits on bike paths.
But fines are falling. The Central Judicial Collection Agency (CJIB) reported just over six million speeding tickets last year and 165,000 fines for handheld phone use, down from 6.5 million and nearly 200,000 in 2023.
SWOV earlier urged more fines to cut casualties. The police said enforcement works but resources are limited. “We do what we can,” a spokesperson said. Priority goes to the most dangerous violations — phone use, drunk driving, speeding, and running red lights. “But we also want to remind road users of their own responsibility,” the spokesperson said.
