The number of jams on motorways fell by 30% in the third quarter of 2011, despite an increase in traffic of 2.2%, infrastructure minister Melanie Schultz van Haegen told parliament on Monday evening.

The minister said this is ‘very good news’ and that it shows the success of the government’s policy to widen roads and add extra lanes.
The cabinet wants to do even more to keep traffic flowing, said Schultz van Haegen. Vehicles involved in accidents must be towed away more quickly and people should be encouraged not to drive during the busiest periods.
There are also plans to add 800 kilometres of new lanes during this government period.
‘The Netherlands will become economically healthy again with these measures,’ she said.
Green party GroenLinks MP Liesbeth van Tongeren told the minister motorways will just fill up again over two or three years. ‘We don’t need asphalt over what’s left of our countryside,’ said Van Tongeren. ‘We need clever measures that are good for the environment, like road pricing.’