In 2019, the number of road deaths in the Netherlands amounted to 661, 17 fewer than in 2018. Yet, over the past ten years the trend has not declined. Taking into account the number of road deaths expected in 2020, it is certain that the national road safety target (a maximum of 500 road deaths in 2020) will not be achieved. For the number of serious road injuries, the conclusion is even less hopeful: with a number of 21,400 people seriously injuries in 2019, an increasing trend is found over the past ten years. This also means that the target – a maximum of 10,600 serious road injuries in 2020 – is far from achievable.
Despite the measures taken by the authorities, a new investment stimulus and a risk-based approach following the Strategic Road Safety Plan 2030, more and more effective measures remain necessary, especially for cyclists, riders of mobility scooters, the elderly and on access roads. Safer infrastructure and more police enforcement are important here.
