Headline: Dutch Government Aims for Zero Traffic Deaths by 2050 Despite Cutting Road Safety Budget
Subheading: Amidst ambitious goals to eliminate traffic fatalities, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure reduces its road safety budget, sparking criticism from experts.
Body:
The Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has announced its intention to achieve zero traffic fatalities by the year 2050, emphasizing a focus on structural improvements in traffic safety. However, this announcement comes in conjunction with a significant reduction in the budget allocated for road safety initiatives, from 38 million euros in 2024 to just 15 million euros by 2029, as reported by NOS.
Critics argue that the government’s actions are at odds with its stated objectives. Marco te Brömmelstroet, a professor of urban planning at the University of Amsterdam, described the government’s stance as completely contradictory. He pointed out that for decades, the Netherlands has prioritized traffic flow over road safety, with limited impact from campaigns promoting helmet use and safe driving practices.
Te Brömmelstroet questioned the normalization of traffic dangers and suggested that instead of focusing on victim-blaming, the government should address the root causes of traffic accidents. He proposed setting a speed limit of 15 kilometers per hour around primary schools as a more effective measure than spending millions on campaigns.
Ed van Beeck, a medical and social researcher, echoed the sentiment, noting that the government’s policy on road safety is unclear, especially considering cuts in preventive healthcare, scientific research, and local government budgets. Van Beeck also highlighted that while there is attention on the risks associated with new products like the fatbike, there is a lack of discussion about the impact on elderly people who are vulnerable to accidents while cycling.
Both experts emphasized that traffic accidents have a significant disease burden comparable to Covid-19, yet they receive far less attention and resources. Van Beeck pointed out that the current figures may even underestimate the true impact of traffic accidents.
The government’s road safety strategy and budget cuts have sparked debate and raised questions about the commitment to achieving the ambitious goal of zero traffic deaths by 2050.
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