In 1988 the Dutch government decided to raise the general speed limit from 100 kph to 120 kph. For reasons of traffic safety and environmental pollution the speed limit maintained 100 kph on about 20% of the motorways. The paper describes the changes in the Dutch speed policy. The combination of limit change, enforcement, enlightenment and preventive measures is discussed. In 1992 the Ministry evaluated the changes in the Dutch speed policy. Effects of these changes on driving speed, traffic safety, environmental pollution and attitudes were assessed. The general effects of the limit differentiation are positive. Raising the speed limit made the driving speeds go down. There is a problem however in keeping the speeds up to the mark reached in 1988. Based on the evaluation extra measures were taken. The paper describes these measures as well. In the Netherlands a new policy called `duurzaam veilig' or `intrinsically safe' is being developed. In this policy new strategies for influencing speeds are being explored. The paper discusses these new strategies in relation to the speed policy.
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