Strategic Plan Road
The Strategic Plan Road Safety is an elaboration of the Mobility Policy Document. The strategy has three pillars. The first pillar is Cooperation. It is emphasized that road safety policy is not only determined by the administration at the national level, but that many parties are involved. Other administrative levels, enforcers, knowledge institutes and interest groups have all contributed to the plan. The second pillar is Integral approach. This integral approach is pursued by making connections with other policy areas. The third pillar is Sustainable Safety. The Sustainable Safety vision is continued to further reduce the crash rate.
The Plan continues the generic measures that have been taken during the past years, especially those involving vehicle technology, communication about traffic behaviour, and self explaining roads. In addition it indicates two specific target groups for new policy. The Plan suggests a tougher approach towards those who cause unsafe traffic situations by making drivers responsible for unsafe behaviour. Examples are the alcolock for drink-drivers and suspension of the driving licence. Furthermore, it suggests improved protection of vulnerable road users by training, technology, and rewarding. Vulnerable road users are pedestrians and cyclists, motorcyclists and moped riders, children and the elderly.
In the letter accompanying the presentation of the Plan the Minister of Transport also announces that the target of a maximum of 580 road deaths in 2020 that was given in the Mobility Policy Document can be brought down to a maximum of 500 road deaths in 2020 if all measures in the Strategic Plan are taken.
The Plan was discussed in Parliament in September 2008. There was large support for the measures as well as for the lower target. The plan was agreed on in the National Mobility Council, which made the lower target of a maximum of 500 road deaths official.