The 80 kilometre speed limits introduced on the ring roads around Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Amsterdam are to stay in place despite causing more traffic jams, transport minister Carla Peijs announced today.

The extra congestion is to be tackled with improved road markings and signs, the minister said.
The new speed limit was introduced in November 2005 with the aim of reducing pollution and traffic noise but within a few days it emerged that the new speed limits – down from 100kph – were leading to increased congestion as drivers slowed down to below the 80 kph limit.
However, the minister now says that more effort will be made to make sure drivers know that they only face fines when driving faster than 87 kph.