Road narrowingNetherlands
Traffic rules
Netherlands
1. Road narrowing
A road narrowing is a section where the available width of the road or carriageway becomes smaller. The narrowing may occur on both sides, on one side only, or because one or more traffic lanes end.
Drivers should reduce speed, observe approaching and adjacent traffic, maintain sufficient lateral clearance and merge when necessary. Warning signs do not always determine priority, so drivers must follow any priority signs, lane markings and local traffic rules.
What does a road-narrowing warning mean in the Netherlands?
Dutch narrowing warnings identify a smaller usable road width. They are different from the controls governing which direction has priority and from the rules for changing lanes.
🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference
Does a narrowing warning give you priority in the Netherlands?
No. A warning describes the reduced width, rather than allocating priority or setting a numerical speed limit. Follow any separate priority signs, signals and meeting rules, and slow enough to pass safely or wait before entering.
🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference
What should you do if traffic lanes merge at a narrowing in the Netherlands?
Changing lanes is a special manoeuvre under Dutch rules and requires yielding to other traffic. Follow the lane markings and merge safely; courtesy during congestion does not remove that statutory duty.
🔗 wetten.overheid.nl • RVV 1990 — official Dutch legislative reference
