‘Traffic mentality is deteriorating enormously’

It was somewhat to be expected that the number of road casualties in 2022 would be slightly higher than a year earlier. After all, in 2021 we were still dealing with corona measures, while we resumed normal life last year. Nevertheless, the increase is also strikingly large when viewed over a longer period of time. There were 737 road fatalities, the highest number since 2008. However, this increase is not only due to the fact that we went out more than a year earlier. According to traffic psychologist Gerard Tertoolen, it also has to do with population growth and the resulting increased traffic density, but certainly also with the behavior of road users.

“We see that the mentality in traffic is deteriorating enormously,” Tertoolen explains to the NOS. “People give others much less space, are individualistic and have a short fuse.” The fact that it is busy on the road is bad for some people. Tertoolen gives a few examples: “Bumper sticking, for example, or just passing in front of someone. Cyclists often take priority, while you should be given priority.” Yet it is not only such action-reaction behaviors that are the problem. Tertoolen: “Furthermore, the number of drunk drivers is increasing and don’t forget the use of the mobile phone, which is also still a major cause of accidents.”

There are many fatalities among cyclists in particular, and according to Tertoolen, this can be attributed to various causes. For example, the layout of the road is sometimes a problem, although the cause must sometimes also be sought in the behavior of cyclists. “Cyclists often have to share the road with motorists. If there are no separate cycle paths, the risk of accidents is much greater. They can of course also be individualistic and not paying attention.” The rise of the electric bicycle does not make it any safer. Apart from the fact that the impact hits harder when things go faster, other road users are not sufficiently used to the fact that things go so fast. “The fact that a bike like that can suddenly be with you, because it goes much faster than before, that’s something we’re not set up for yet.”