We knew since last year that the Dutch government was looking to reduce the country’s maximum highway speed limit from 130 km/h (80 mph) to just 100 km/h (62 mph), one of the lowest limits in all of Europe.
The reason for this shift was the high levels of nitrogen oxide found nationwide, although Dutch media has quoted several unhappy drivers saying that they’re willing to accept fines for not sticking to such a low speed, reports DW.
It’s important to note that the new limit applies to highways only during the day. Between 7:00 pm and 6:00 am, drivers can again accelerate to 130 km/h (80 mph) on designated sections of road.
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As of right now, Cyprus and Norway are the only other European nations that feature similarly low highway speeds.
A survey for TV guide EenVandaag showed that 46% of respondents aren’t planning on driving so slowly on the highway during the day, yet the benefits of doing so are hard to ignore. The Netherlands has a massive problem with nitrogen compounds, releasing 50 kg (110 lbs) per hectare into the environment every year, compared to the EU average of 15 kg (33 lbs).
But nitrogen is good right?
Well, yes, we need nitrogen in the atmosphere. However, its chemical compounds don’t play well together when combined with hydrogen or oxygen. According to the European Environment Agency, nitrogen oxides contribute heavily to respiratory diseases and in 2016, were responsible for 68,000 premature deaths across the European Union.
The Netherlands’ entire transition to a 100 km/h speed limit is expected to cost around 19 million euros ($21 million), and for the time being Dutch police isn’t planning on increasing the number of speed controls.
In the end, while drivers may not be fond of such a low speed limit for highway driving, some studies have shown that lower speeds can actually decrease congestion, as cars start driving closer to each other and braking less abruptly.
I live in Belgium, should I be worried?
When you’re not too busy practicing social distancing, which you definitely should, then know that your country will be keeping an eye on these recent measures adopted by the Netherlands.
“It is clear that speed limits based on environmental measures have very little support in Belgium,” says motoring organization VAB, who hopes that “the Netherlands carry out a study not only into the effect of this measure on air quality, but also on road safety (on the number of accidents and therefore also the resulting traffic jams) especially on ring roads, reports the Brussels Times.
