The city of Amsterdam has recorded another increase in the number of road accidents despite introducing various traffic safety measures. Based on recent figures, in 2023 the Dutch capital saw 1.167 accidents where someone was seriously injured - 15 more than were recorded in 2022.
Figures from Amsterdam’s annual traffic monitor have shown that the police in the city attended more serious accidents on Dutch roads in 2023 than they did the year before. In 2023 there were more cyclists, especially young people and e-bike riders, involved in road accidents.
There was also a slight increase in the number of traffic fatalities last year, up from 15 in 2022 to 16 in 2023. This means that the target of having no traffic victims by 2050 is getting further out of reach for the city.
According to the city council, Amsterdam is getting busier and busier, and tuned-up fatbikes and e-bikes are creating unsafe situations, contributing to serious road accidents more often. This is why the city wants to work together with the police and government to introduce further safety measures.
The city has already improved traffic safety in around 73 places, of which many had already had accidents. Upgrades have also been implemented to school zones in 29 places and more have been added so that children can walk and cycle to school safely.
Focusing on lowering the number of accidents, the city is still working on further improvements to road design, tackling traffic black spots, adding more space for pedestrians and cyclists, and establishing more school streets. Furthermore, there is also going to be more focus on enforcement, behavioural campaigns and providing traffic education to schools and pensioners.
The introduction of the new 30 kilometre per hour speed limit and rules for fatbike drivers are also expected to reduce the number of traffic accidents in the city.
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