SWOV says Dutch roads too narrow and need widening to cut accidents

The scientific institute on traffic safety Stichting Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Verkeersveiligheid (SWOV) in the Netherlands has called for many national roads to be widened to cut accident levels. SWOV argues that a large share of Dutch roads with a 80km/h maximum speed limit are too narrow. Such roads are on average 7.5m wide, making them, SWOV says, among the narrowest in the world, with traffic having an average 2.75m of space to use. According to SWOV this should be at least 3.3m, which, it claims, cou
August 15, 2013 Read time: 1 min
The scientific institute on traffic safety Stichting Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Verkeersveiligheid (7450 SWOV) in the Netherlands has called for many national roads to be widened to cut accident levels.

SWOV argues that a large share of Dutch roads with a 80km/h maximum speed limit are too narrow. Such roads are on average 7.5m wide, making them, SWOV says, among the narrowest in the world, with traffic having an average 2.75m of space to use. According to SWOV this should be at least 3.3m, which, it claims, could reduce the number of accidents by 10%.
Road Structures

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New marking technologies being developed
    June 30, 2014
    Innovative roadmarking technologies will increase productivity, improve conspicuity in poor conditions and offer increased wear life - Mike Woof writes. Major advances have been seen in roadmarking systems now being offered on the market. More sophisticated machinery will increase productivity and quality when installing markings, while new systems will also last longer in use. In addition, smart technologies can detect wear and provide highway authorities with an accurate picture of network safety, at comp
    Read More
  • Addressing urban congestion with smart technology
    October 5, 2016
    A new generation of smart transport solutions could help cut congestion in urban areas around the world. The growth of personal vehicle ownership in developed and developing countries alike has exacerbated the problem of traffic congestion in many cities. Congestion is the bugbear of modern road transport, a sign of success and growing economies as well as a failure to anticipate demand. Building roads helps develop business and encourages economic growth, resulting in more traffic in the future. To quote K
    Read More
  • Dutch road deaths nearly halved in 15 years
    July 18, 2012
    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.
    Read More
  • Reflective road markings improve visibility, safety
    February 13, 2012
    Retroreflectivity plays a vital role when it comes to helping drivers follow road markings clearly in the dark as Patrick Smith reports. In many instances road markings are as important as road signs, offering information about the roads being travelled and the actions drivers should or should not be taking. Toady there is a wide variety of materials available for such markings and these include paints, cold applied plastics, thermoplastic, self-adhesive tapes, modified epoxy resins and raised pavement mark
    Read More

Highlighted Content