Devices to block the use of mobile phones in cars, speed limiters and breathalysers equipped as standard are among the suggestions in a new police campaign to force drivers to change their habits.

Egbert-Jan van Hasselt, national project team leader for infrastructure, said drastic measures were needed to cut the number of accidents on the road. ‘Motorists’ behaviour is getting worse,’ he told NOS Radio 1 Journaal. ‘Enforcement on its own is no longer enough. We need to influence their behaviour from the start.

‘Technically there are things we can do so that if you’ve had a drink, your car won’t start and if you go too fast you hear a signal or the car will brake automatically. I’m calling on politicians to get to work on this.’

The number of road deaths increased in 2015 for the first time in years, from 570 to 621. The biggest increases were on motorways where the speed limit was raised from 120 to 130 km/h: on these stretches the figure trebled from 10 in 2014 to 32 the following year.