Praise Over Punishment? Amsterdam Trialling Positive Speed Limit Signs

Amsterdam is trialling integer roadworthy signs that show really galore drivers instrumentality to nan velocity limit, successful a bid to trial whether affirmative reinforcement tin make streets safer.

The pilot, launched by nan Amsterdam Transport Region, will tally until October 9, 2025, crossed 4 locations astir nan capital.

Positive rotation connected speeding rules

The task replaces nan acquainted smiley-face informing signs pinch move boards that show a moving tally of well-behaved drivers. Sensors prime up passing cars and registry those keeping wrong nan 30 km/h limit, which is regularly exceeded successful municipality areas.

Research by nan carrier authority suggests that 30 to 40 per cent of drivers surpass nan velocity limit successful 30 zones, often brushing disconnected mini violations of 5 to 10 kilometres per hr arsenic harmless.

Spokeswoman Leonie Veerman told Dutch broadcaster NOS, “People for illustration to conform to nan societal norm. By making that norm visible, we beforehand a affirmative herd mentality.” She added, “The connection we are conveying is: your neighbours are keeping to nan rules.”

Where nan signs are being tested

The caller boards person been installed in:

• Landsmeer
• Ouderkerk aan de Amstel
• Aalsmeer
• Nieuw-Vennep

After conscionable 4 days successful operation, astir signs had already logged betwixt 4,000 and 6,000 drivers adhering to nan limit, according to nan Amsterdam Transport Region.

Social unit arsenic a roadworthy information tool

The attack borrows from different behavioural experiments, specified arsenic utilizing neighbourhood comparisons to discourage fly-tipping. The thought is to create a consciousness of corporate work alternatively than focusing solely connected punishment.

At nan extremity of nan trial, nan carrier authority and section councils will measure whether expanding nan strategy to much locations could thief antagonistic nan cognition that “everyone speeds anyway.”

Do you deliberation this attack could really make roads safer, aliases will immoderate drivers only slow down erstwhile there’s a consequence of being fined?

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