The speed limit on most roads in Amsterdam is being cut from 50 kph to 30 kph from Friday. In total, 80% of the tarmac in the city will have a 30 kph limit and council officials expect both a reduction in accidents and noise following the change.

Officials say the number of crashes and other accidents to drop by 20% to 30% and that those that do occur will be less serious. Overall, noise will also go down by an average of three decibels, city officials say. 

But not everyone is convinced that the move will be a success. “30 kph feels very, very slow,” traffic psychologist Gerard Tertoolen told the Parool. “If you drive at 30 kph, you feel you are moving at a snail’s pace and you hear your car urging you to go faster.”

Some people will be able to resist the urge but some people will always drive too fast, he said. “The council is focusing on providing information to those who fall somewhere in between.” 

Overnight

While cities like Utrecht opted for gradual change, Amsterdam has gone for the “big bang approach”, changing the limit on 500 roads overnight. In total, 4,400 traffic signs will warn drivers about the new speed from Friday morning. 

Wendy Weijermars, from road safety institute SWOV, told the Parool that she does not expect people to drive at 30 kph until the design of the roads has been changed. “Speeds may drop a little but not to 30 kph,” she said. 

In addition, the city is not planning to issue tickets to drivers who go too fast for the first few months at least. 

Check the map of where new limits apply

“And that is the Achilles heel of the Amsterdam approach,” Weijermars said. “When roads are not laid out for slow driving and when you don’t monitor for compliance, you cannot expect drivers to slow to 30 kph either, she said. 

Buses and trams will still be able to drive at 50 kph on streets where there is a separate public transport lane.