Amsterdam is slowing traffic all over town in an effort to reduce serious accidents by 20 to 30% and discourage use of cars where bicycles or transit would be better for the environment.
Over 80% of the roads in the city will see their top speed reduced from 50 kph to 30 kph, while allowing buses and trams to continue to operate at 50. The city council says that “The city will be quieter, and being outside will be a more pleasant experience,” although many drivers will likely not agree.
There has already been resistance to other measures the city has tried, including the so-called ‘knip,’ which cuts off a main traffic artery into the city at times of heavy traffic to reduce the traffic impact on city streets; it was criticized for making worse congestion than it was meant to cure.
The new speed limit, which is requiring city workers to replace 4,400 traffic signs and reprogram 170 traffic lights, will take effect on December 8. The council is also pushing awareness of the measure through a “We do 30 for each other” publicity campaign. Material for the campaign shows the difference between an impact at 30 and at 50.
