80kmh speed zones remain in place 03/10/2006 00:00

3 October 2006

AMSTERDAM — The 80kmh zones and trajectory speed checks around the four largest Dutch cities will remain in place despite worsening traffic jam problems.

To improve the flow of traffic, Transport Minister Karla Peijs said extra measures such as improve road markings and signage will be taken.

Only the 100kmh speed limit on the A12 at Voorburg will be reinstated, but the trajectory speed checks will remain in place.

It has also been agreed that greater publicity will be given to the fact that speeding fines will only be imposed if drivers ride on average 87kmh or more.

A 3kmh leeway is given when deciding if a fine will be imposed.

"That means that a road user in the 80kmh zones can accelerate for the flow [of traffic]," the minister's spokeswoman said.

The speed check zones of 25km in length were set up on 1 November last year to improve air quality.

The condition was that road safety did not worsen, noise pollution was reduced and the flow of traffic remain the same.

But assessments have yielded varying results per location.

In response, Minister Peijs told MPs that the new made-to-measure adjustments needed to be made.

[Copyright Expatica News 2006]

Subject: Dutch news