Samenvatting
This paper is intended as a contribution to the recent discussion in the Netherlands, initated among others by the Dutch Road Safety Organisation (VVN), about (the usefulness) of heavy penalties for serious road offenses and including a `manslaughter' article in the Road Traffic Act for this purpose. It is concluded that no positive effect can be expected from a `manslaughter' article in the Road Traffic Act when it comes to the promotion of road safety. Some suggestions are made which can be (further) developed for the promotion of greater road safety. (A)