Danish drivers are increasingly driving slower on motorways and country roads. In general, it is slower than in 2022, new figures from the Danish Road Directorate show.
Danes are keeping their speed down on the motorways. New figures from the Danish Road Directorate show that the lower speed observed in 2022 is still a reality. The average speed has dropped a few kilometers per hour since 2022, according to the Danish Road Directorate's analysis of the latest figures.
This trend towards lower speeds is seen on both motorways and country roads.
On motorways with a speed limit of 130 kilometers per hour, the average speed has decreased from 120.8 kilometers per hour in 2021 to 118.3 kilometers per hour last year.
On highways with a speed limit of 110 kilometers per hour, the average speed decreased from 112.3 kilometers per hour in 2021 to 110.8 kilometers per hour last year.
– It has happened gradually over the past few years. But I would call it a significant development, says project manager Niels Moltved from the Danish Road Directorate in a press release .
One of the factors behind the slower speed may be the rising fuel prices that followed in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
– It is reasonable to believe that it has something to do with fuel prices, says Niels Moltved.
Although fuel prices have since fallen, the changed habits have stuck.
– Many road users have discovered that they can save money on fuel without losing any significant time on the trip, says Niels Moltved.
The lower speed is not only limited to motorways. Danes are also driving slower on country roads. It is the Jutland region in particular that is driving slower. Here the average speed has fallen from 80.8 to 79.8 kilometres per hour.
– Although the gain from reducing speed on country roads is not as great as on motorways, it may indicate that more people have become aware that they can save money on fuel – and at the same time drive more safely, says Niels Moltved.
Another factor that may come into play is the increasing popularity of electric cars.
The Danish Road Directorate conducted a survey last year. It showed that people in electric cars generally drive slower.
82 percent of the electric drivers surveyed responded that they deliberately drive slower to utilize the efficiency of the car's battery and avoid extra charging along the way.
Transport Minister Thomas Danielsen (V) views the development positively.
– The figures show that drivers are aware of their speed. Whether this is due to considerations of economy, increased focus on the range of electric cars or traffic campaigns, I cannot say.
– But from a road safety perspective, it is of course gratifying, he says in a comment to Ritzau.
