Serious issues have been realised in the Netherlands, with an increase in the rate of road casualties. There were 629 road deaths in the Netherlands in 2016, eight more than in 2015. Meanwhile 2015 had seen an increase of 51 road deaths over 2014. The issue is of concern as these two years were the first since 1996 when road deaths had not dropped. The road safety standards in the Netherlands are amongst the best in Europe, and the entire world. However there is concern that in the Netherlands, as in many countries, the issue of driver distraction from the use of cellphones at the wheel could be causing an increase in crashes. Increases in speed limits are also thought to be a factor.
The Netherlands Government is keen to continue with the reduction in road deaths. The aim is to reduce the annual toll to 500 by 2020.
Of those killed in 2016, 231 were car occupants, 189 were cyclists, 38 were on scooters, 51 were pedestrians and 45 were motorcycle riders.
