The government is spending 165 million euros on improving road safety. With the money, municipalities, provinces and water boards can work on dangerous intersections, cycle paths, roads and roundabouts. “This will really make a difference and ensure fewer accidents on those roads and cycle paths,” expects Minister Van Nieuwenhuizen.
The investment is part of the Strategic Road Safety Plan that Minister Cora van Nieuwenhuizen (Infrastructure and Water Management) made two years ago with the provinces and municipalities.
Half a billion euros
Last year, the cabinet announced that it would make half a billion euros available over the next ten years to improve road safety. That is desperately needed, said Van Nieuwenhuizen at the time. “The number of victims is increasing instead of going down.”
Municipalities, provinces and water boards themselves had to come up with improvements for road safety. This was possible between July and September this year. “There was great enthusiasm among municipalities, provinces and water boards. Very good plans have been submitted to our ministry,” says Van Nieuwenhuizen. “We use the national doubler.”
National doubler
This means that the government is doubling the contribution of local governments. “In this way, people at local and regional authorities can now quickly get to work to tackle that dangerous intersection or that too narrow cycle path.”
Almost 190 (of the 355) municipalities, all provinces and two water boards receive part of the 165 million euros. Local authorities, for example, are working on the construction of speed bumps, road narrows, safe roadsides and separate cycle paths.
Widen cycle paths
Money will also be spent on widening cycle paths and converting unclear intersections into roundabouts. About thirty municipalities have also received money for the establishment of safe school zones.
About two thirds of the measures are implemented within a year. “This not only improves road safety”, says Van Nieuwenhuizen. “But a boost will also be given to the construction sector in the short term.”
See also: Go along with the hunt for traffic jerks
