The Province of Utrecht values safe travel for everyone and supports the national campaign Keep your speed under control. A few kilometers over the speed limit may seem harmless, but it can have serious consequences. As a regional adaptation of the national campaign, we are using smileys, the savings pole, and campaign materials.
As a province, we support municipalities in the national speed campaign by providing campaign materials. Municipalities are then responsible for placing these materials. An example of a beautiful and practical collaboration between municipalities and the province. Additionally, we promote the speed campaign in public places, such as cinemas.
Smileys
To make drivers more aware of their speed, the province also uses smileys. The smiley is a display that measures driving speed and gives immediate feedback to drivers. If the speed is below the allowed limit, the driver sees a smile. If the speed is too high, the smiley looks strict. The immediate feedback from the smiley ensures that drivers slow down. These speed displays rotate within the province every few months.
Savings Pole
The savings pole can be used in areas where speeding often occurs. The savings pole rewards good driving behavior: those who adhere to the speed limit automatically save for a local project. The local project is chosen by the municipality and involved residents. After the campaign ends, the savings pole moves to another municipality in the province. By visibly rewarding the right behavior for local residents, the chance increases that the right behavior, adhering to the speed limit, will be repeated in the future.
Speed
Sometimes the allowed maximum speed is too high. For example, in fog, ice, or heavy rain. Also, when schools are out or the streets are very busy, it is safer to drive slower than the maximum speed allows. Driving a few kilometers faster can make all the difference between getting home safely and having an accident. In built-up areas, with vulnerable road users such as playing children, cyclists, and elderly pedestrians, the length of the stopping distance makes a big difference. For example, if a driver goes 40 km/h instead of 30 km/h, the stopping distance is six meters longer. In as many as one in three fatal traffic accidents, excessive speed plays a role.
For press information:
jelmer.geerds@provincie-utrecht.nl
06 42 47 30 33
