Speed limits during winter and hours of darkness

During winter and during hours of darkness, speed limits are always reduced to the winter limit. This reduces the risk of accidents, which would otherwise take place twice as often during hours of darkness and many times more often during slippery conditions.

Thanks to these winter restrictions, an estimated 8 lives are spared and 36 injuries prevented every year. There are also other benefits to the tighter speed limits: fuel consumption and emissions are reduced, the road surface does not wear out so quickly, and traffic noise is reduced.

The tighter speed limits remain in force until the spring, when the improved driving conditions mean that is safe to return to the summertime speed limits. This switch normally takes place at the end of March or beginning of April.