This paper discusses whether the speed problem can be controlled in the Netherlands in an effective way. The paper shows the complex relationship between driving speeds and accidents. The paper describes that many regional speed control activities carried out in the last years were not successful. Therefore, the paper recommends that optimal enforcement campaigns should be examined. The paper provides the cornerstones for an effective strategy in order to tackle the speed problem. This approach consists of: (1) increasing the public awareness of both the nature and magnitude of speed offences, and of their consequences; (2) changing the road infrastructure by a better mutual attunement of the road function, the layout and the legislation. This is also known as the 'sustainably safe' approach; and (3) publicity and police enforcement. The paper emphasises that it is possible to master the speed problem. The paper is a contribution to a one day congress "Speed control in the region", held in Ede on 31 October 1991.
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