For 2020, a maximum of 500 road deaths was aimed for [5]. This target was not met [6]. For the next period, no Dutch target has been determined (yet). The minister strives for 0 road casualties in 2050. With an annual reduction of almost 11%, we will arrive at approximately 20 road deaths in 2050 [7]. In the years 2000-2010, the average annual reduction was 4%.
For the coming period, the United Nations and the European Union have set targets for the maximum number of road deaths. Both organisations extended the previous 2010 target, which again implies a 50% reduction of the number of road deaths compared to 10 years before (2019 [i] for the EU [8]; 2021 for the UN [9]). Applying these targets to the Netherlands, this would mean a maximum number of around 300 – 350 road deaths in 2030.[ii] Mid 2021, a parliamentary motion was adopted to use the international target for the Netherlands as well, and to strive for a 50% reduction of the number of road casualties by 2030 [10].
[i]. In early 2022, the EC decided to use 2019 as the reference year instead of 2020; this was decided on account of the effect of the COVID-19 measures on the number of road deaths in several countries.
[ii] NB: The European Union uses the figures reported by police that are supplied by the EU countries themselves. The Dutch government proceeds from the actual numbers determined by Statistics Netherlands.
