Dutch road deaths nearly halved in 15 years

Dutch road deaths have nearly halved in the last 15 years, according to new figures by the country’s central statistics bureau CBS. There were 661 road deaths in the Netherlands in 2011, down 47% from 1,251 in 1996. For passenger cars over the same period there was a 73.5% decrease in road fatalities, from 609 to 221.
July 18, 2012 Read time: 1 min
RSSDutch road deaths have nearly halved in the last 15 years, according to new figures by the country’s central statistics bureau CBS.

There were 661 road deaths in the Netherlands in 2011, down 47% from 1,251 in 1996.  

For passenger cars over the same period there was a 73.5% decrease in road fatalities, from 609 to 221.

The fall in road deaths comes as Dutch people are said to be opting for smaller cars, which are likely to cause less road accident damage, due to the economic crisis. The mild winter meant is also said to have led to fewer slips on the roads and less damage from hail. There has also been an improvement in technology, such as parking sensors, and an increase in the number of roundabouts.

However Frits Huffnagel, chairman of Dutch vehicle repair trade association Focwa, said the change in car type purchases and the improvement in road surface conditions was bad news for car insurance companies as they struggle with decreasing prices to remain competitive.

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