Road accidents up by 8% in 2021, police target distractions at the wheel

The number of people seriously injured in road accidents grew by 8% in the last year, according to a new report by Smart Traffic Accident Reporting (STAR).

In 2021 there were 17,842 incidents where more than one person was injured, compared to 16,540 the year before. Non-injury collisions also increased by around 8% to more than 68,700, the Telegraaf reported.

However, the number of people who died in road collisions declined slightly from 496 to 478.

STAR said the main causes of road collisions were speeding, driving under the influence of drink or drugs, and distractions in the car such as mobile phones.

Police said they were stepping up efforts to catch motorists who handled their phones at the wheel, which carries a fine of €250. Local forces have been equipped with cameras that can detect from overhead viaducts whether a driver has a phone in their hand.

‘I think we need to take a good look at what smart technologies we can deploy to improve enforcement,’ Janis Tamsma, head of operations at Amsterdam’s police division, told Goedemorgen Nederland.

‘But I think the most important place to start is with people themselves. They need to use their cars responsibly.’