Result Statement: ‘More asphalt against traffic jams’ | What you say

The vast majority of respondents foresaw that traffic jams would return. One of them states: ,,Working from home is fine, just like meetings in Teams. It is in itself a great way to tackle the traffic jam problem. But apparently people are hard-learned and the government didn’t have time to deal with this either.” Another added: “It is so sad that we have learned nothing and are returning to the pre-corona situation.” A few think that the traffic jams have to do with the driving style of motorists. “Traffic jams are caused by bad drivers, who are texting all the time and therefore do not do overtaking maneuvers fast enough and drive too slowly. If everyone had two hands on the wheel, there would be much less delay.”

Two thirds of the respondents think it is bad that the Dutch have to get into traffic again to get to work, but some also point to the lack of public transport. “Of course we had hoped and expected that the traffic jams would be a thing of the past, but more people have bought a car during corona. As a result, we all rejoin the traffic jam. Public transport is still unattractive, because for many – despite the traffic jams – it is still much slower than the car.”

Working from home would be one of the solutions to the climate problem, according to a narrow majority. One participant believes: “If everyone stays at home all the time, that also costs a lot of electricity and heating and public transport is not a solution for everyone who does not live in the West.” A number of respondents find it irritating that the climate is always included in the discussion about mobility. ,,The climate just takes its own course, it has always been that way. Just lay eight meters of asphalt next to every highway and the traffic jam problem is solved.”

Most participants therefore think that working from home helps to combat traffic jams. A small majority believes that working from home should become the norm for office workers. “Make the encouragement of working from home tax-wise interesting for employers,” suggests one proponent. Another option: “Let employees work from home and come to the office one day a week. But preferably not all on Tuesday, because then everyone apparently wants to meet.”

Most participants believe that if mobility is to be improved, the investments should mainly be in asphalt. Respondents see the least in shared transport as a solution to mobility problems. Another respondent thinks that the Dutch should live closer to their work. “Build more in cities, for example in all those offices that have become vacant.”

Most voters believe there would be fewer traffic jams if employers required employees to go to work outside rush hour. Hybrid working (partly at home and partly at the office) could help with this, according to the majority of the participants.

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