Increase in road crashes in the Netherlands

After several years of declining numbers of road crashes and improving safety statistics, the Netherlands is seeing an increase in road fatalities. Research by Dutch insurance umbrella body Verbond van Verzekeraars reveals that the number of crashes in the country is now increasing once more. During 2015 there were 502,000 personal claims following road crashes in the country, coampred with 462,000 in the previous year. Meanwhile the road fatality rate increased from 570 in 2014 to 621 in 2015. Similarly, t
November 1, 2016 Read time: 2 mins
After several years of declining numbers of road crashes and improving safety statistics, the Netherlands is seeing an increase in road fatalities. Research by Dutch insurance umbrella body Verbond van Verzekeraars reveals that the number of crashes in the country is now increasing once more. During 2015 there were 502,000 personal claims following road crashes in the country, coampred with 462,000 in the previous year. Meanwhile the road fatality rate increased from 570 in 2014 to 621 in 2015. Similarly, the number of road crashes increased by 6.5% to 841,000 in 2015 compared with the previous year. A full analysis of the crash data has yet to be carried out but the use of smartphones by drivers is thought to be the primary reason by this worrying increase in road crashes. The Netherlands has a good record on road safety and its low crash rate on its network makes it amongst the 10 safest countries in the world for road users. This latest study suggests however the need to implement new measures to endemic tackle phone use by drivers.

Related Content

  • Road causalities dropped in Europe in 2012
    March 26, 2013
    The latest data from the European Commission reveals that road fatalities across the EU decreased by 9% in 2012. This shows that 2012 saw the lowest numbers of people being killed in road traffic crashes in EU countries since data first began being collated. Vice-president Siim Kallas, Commissioner for Transport, said, "2012 was a landmark year for European road safety, with the lowest ever number of road deaths recorded. A 9% decrease means that 3,000 lives were saved last year. It is hugely encouraging to
    Read More
  • Spanish road safety hits plateau
    January 7, 2016
    Strong measures in Spain have helped reduce the country’s road fatality rate enormously in recent years. Tougher enforcement of road rules commenced in 2004, with a notable drop in speeding and drink driving, resulting in a reduce rate of crashes. However a recent report from the Spanish motoring body RACC reveals that the figures have hit a plateau, with road fatalities for 2015 similar to those in 2014. This is the third consecutive year that Spain’s road fatality rates have remained broadly unchanged. Th
    Read More
  • Road safety gain for Oman
    March 11, 2016
    A slight improvement in road safety has been identified in Oman by the police, following analysis of data. The Royal Oman Police's (ROP) statistics revealed that 675 people were killed in 6,279 road crashes in 2015. This was a notable reduction from the 816 deaths in 6,717 road crashes in 2014. The Muscat governorate had the highest number of road crashes in 2015 at 2,107 and 92 were killed while 1,186 were injured. The North Batinah governorate recorded the highest number of deaths and injured at 115 and 2
    Read More
  • TISPOL Conference: autonomous vehicles high on safety agenda
    February 2, 2017
    Safety and autonomous vehicles exercised the minds of some of Europe’s senior police officers at the recent TISPOL European Traffic Police Network Conference in the UK. The European Union looks like missing its target of halving the number of people killed on its roads each year by 2020. Just when European police forces are trying to get back on target, along comes the autonomous vehicle with all its inherent safety issues.
    Read More

Highlighted Content