De verkeersonveiligheid in Nederland tot en met 1997 : analyse van aard, omvang en ontwikkelingen in de periode 1985-1997.

This report presents an analysis of the general developments in road safety in The Netherlands, with a special focus on the year 1997. During 1997, for the first time since 1991, the number of road deaths decreased slightly. This positive development did not apply to the numbers of in-patients. There is, in any case, no reason for optimism. The ever-increasing exposure means that there can be no relaxation if the goal for the year 2000 is to be achieved; i.e. 25% less victims than in 1985. Furthermore, the Netherlands would seem to be losing its position in the leading group of the safest countries in Europe; previously it was doing well. However, during the last few years the Netherlands has been slipping behind the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Norway. These countries continue to achieve a decreasing risk per kilometre travelled. This is the main conclusion of this report. It contains a detailed analysis of the registered victims and their risks up to and including 1997. It also discusses explanatory factors such as population, exposure, numbers of vehicles, etc. The nature of road safety is also treated with in this report. In this, victim numbers and exposure data are examined for the important categories of road users; such as the various age-groups and modes of transport. It is well known that mopedists have an extremely high risk; not only as in-patient, but their death rate has, during the last few years, also become the highest. The most numerous moped users, the 15-17 year olds, also have the highest risk of all road users by age group. The 18-24 year olds and the over-65s also have a high risk. The first group mainly because of the inexperienced car drivers, and the second group because of their greater bodily vulnerability. The specific problem areas are dealt with separately. The influence of alcohol on driving is still a considerable worry; it is mainly a problem among young, male car drivers. The 18-24 year old car drivers do not drink as much as middle-aged men, but, in spite of this, their involvement in alcohol-related accidents is extremely great. Moreover, their share in the number of offenders of the drinking limit increased during 1997. Extra attention is being paid to road shoulder accidents in which the vehicle left the road. With its share of 30% of all road deaths, it is of considerable importance. The most common types of road shoulder accidents are as follows: on state roads, collisions with constructions; on provincial and municipal roads, crashes against trees. This year, three subjects receive special attention: motorcyclists, young car drivers, and international comparisons. The number of motorcyclist victims has increased considerably during the last ten years. This is mainly the result of the increase in motorcyclists; their risk (per kilometre travelled) has not increased. The number of young car driver deaths has decreased considerably. This can be explained by the decrease in the number of young people and their lower car ownership per head. Compared with other countries, things have not been going well in the Netherlands the last few years. Whereas we used to be one of the safest countries, we have been losing ground since 1985. Being safe does, however, not mean that there is no more room for improvements; the risks (per kilometre) in the leading group of safest countries continues to decrease. This challenges the Netherlands to lift its road safety to a higher level. This is to ensure that the Netherlands can remain one of the safest countries in Europe, and not lose contact with the leading group