Majority of Dutch support no driving on Sundays, lower speed limits to cut fuel use

Rising fuel prices due to the Iran war are prompting residents of the Netherlands to think about their fuel and energy consumption. A majority are in favor of working from home, no driving on Sundays, and lower speed limits on the highways to lower the amount of fuel they use, RTL Nieuws found when surveying its opinion panel.

Two weeks ago, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warned that the war in Iran could lead to a major energy crisis and urged governments, businesses, and citizens to lower their fuel and energy usage. It made several suggestions on how to achieve this.

Working from home as much as possible, like during the coronavirus pandemic, can count on the most support from Dutch citizens. 82 percent support the idea, though many said their boss is not so keen on the idea.

Two-thirds of the Dutch support the suggestion to lower speed limits on highways by 10 kilometers per hour. Almost the same number think car-free Sundays, as the Netherlands had during the oil crisis in 1973 and 1974, are a good idea.

Netherlands residents are not keen on leaving the car at home entirely or carpooling. Less than half are also willing to switch to public transport. These are mainly people who live in remote areas where there is little public transportation.

“If I have to take public transport, I sit on the bus for 30 minutes, then on the train for 45 minutes, and then another 30 minutes on the bus. Now, by car, I am on the road for about 30 minutes in total,” one respondent said.

In the cities, especially in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague, residents are much more willing to switch to public transport to save fuel. 65 percent said this was an option they’d consider.