Skip to main content

Netherlands faces serious traffic issues

The Netherlands has seen traffic congestion increase by a small percentage in the first six months of 2017 when compared with the same period during 2016.
July 4, 2017 Read time: 1 min

The Netherlands has seen traffic congestion increase by a small percentage in the first six months of 2017 when compared with the same period during 2016. This follows a three year period in which the country’s traffic volumes have grown significantly year by year. The research into the traffic data has been carried out by travel and transport body ANWB. Of note is that peak period traffic flows during the morning have not resulted in congestion, while the evening rush hours have seen more delays to journeys. The city of Rotterdam saw particularly bad traffic, with congestion increasing 13%.

However there is concern that far more serious traffic congestion could occur in the future due to potential technical issues with the country’s road bridges and road tunnels. The issue has been highlighted in a study carried out by research bureau Sweco. Technical problems with the 750 bridges and 22 tunnels require attention and the work will have to be phased so as to prevent congestion problems from spiralling.

Related Content

  • Road safety improvements have been seen in France and Turkey
    April 13, 2012
    Both France and Turkey have seen road safety improvements. In Turkey the latest data shows a slight fall in traffic accident fatalities. A recent National Police Department (NPD) research from Turkey indicates that over 10 people die/day in traffic accidents in the country. The research spans the period from 1985 to the end of 2011 and reveals that 3,440,635 were injured in traffic accidents and 152,468 people were killed. But by adding people who died in hospital afterwards, the death count is expected to
  • Improving safety for vulnerable road users
    January 2, 2013
    Dutch-style cycle safety for other European nations – Mike Woof writes A recent event held in London during October was aimed at improving safety for vulnerable road users. Called Love London go Dutch, the event was intended to highlight some of the experience from Holland in reducing risk rates for vulnerable road users such as cyclists. Similar events were held in other UK cities, while other major European cities such as Paris that are seeing an increase in cycling also have a lot to learn from Dutch exp
  • Earthmoving machine sales improved
    April 2, 2019
    have increased since the second half of 2017. In particular, in Germany and France the main constraint is a shortage of labour, while in Spain or the United Kingdom the main brake is demand. Sustained dynamics for investments in Central Eastern Europe, with the exception of the construction market in Turkey, going decidedly against the trend compared to 2017. Overall, however, the implementation of EU funds during the 2014-2020 programming cycle has supported construction, particularly civil engineering.
  • The global road safety crisis needs to be addressed
    October 12, 2017
    The global road casualty rate continues to climb as motorisation levels grow and is particularly acute in the developing world. Developing countries suffer from a particularly high rate of crashes and around 90% of road fatalities. The impact, both in economic and human terms, is unsustainable. These countries cannot afford the loss to their economies of the young and economically active.