Safe and credible speed limits: a strategic exploration

In a previous publication (See ITRD E206463), SWOV proposes to aim for all road users keeping to the speed limits which are valid at that time. This report presents a strategic view on the Dutch speed policy for the short and medium term. Road safety is the main line of approach. The report deals mainly with cars, but the ideas can also influence vans and lorries. An overview of speed policy up until now shows that speed control has largely been achieved by laws (speed limits), infrastructural measures, and enforcement. Especially during the second half of the 1990s, a strong impulse was obtained from Sustainably-Safe and the start of regional enforcement projects. At the same time, the speed limits were still being massively exceeded. In other words, it is extremely unlikely that a 'more of the same' approach will result in the targets formulated by SWOV being achieved. Linked to the Sustainably-Safe points of departure and starting out from the current rigid system of speed limits, the report then describes the elements that, in the short term, drastically reduce the percentage of offenders. The key concepts in this are safe limits, credible limits, and information about the limits. The report recommends, using yet to be drawn up checklists, that road authorities examine if the current speed limits are safe and credible, and if the driver has sufficient information about the current local limit. The limit or the road layout will have to be adapted where necessary. All this can be done within a few years. The rationale is that, depending on the road type, this will result in a compliance of 70-90%. 'Credible' enforcement will remain necessary for those continuing to drive too fast. At the same time, it is essential to work on a further dynamic making of the limits. Dynamic limits benefit the safety as well as the credibility of the limits. This report may be accessed by Internet users at: http://www.swov.nl/rapport/R-2004-12.pdf.