The number of people killed in traffic accidents on the Dutch roads fell by 5% a year between 1998 and 2007, according to new research from the road safety research group SWOV.

In 1998, 1,149 people were killed on the roads, but by 2007 this had fallen to 791.
The SWOV said the introduction of 60 kph and 30 kph limits on some roads had been an important move in reducing road deaths. Efforts to get more drivers to wear seat belts, reduce drink driving and encourage cyclists to use lights at night had an effect.