The municipality of The Hague has removed two brightly coloured traffic safety figures placed along the road at the Bierkade boat departure point. The figures were located on the public highway, which city rules do not permit.
Canal tour operator De Ooievaart had installed the two plastic figures, commonly known in the Netherlands as Victor Veilig or Willie, beside the crossing between its Havenkantoor office and the boat landing. They are intended to alert drivers to reduce speed for crossing pedestrians.
Concerns over crossing safety
De Ooievaart director Peter Duivesteijn called the removal remarkable, saying motorists drive fast along the quay while many adults and children cross the street there. He warned that taking them away puts pedestrian safety under greater pressure.
Duivesteijn urged the city to find an alternative safety solution quickly. He noted the organisation is open to measures such as zebra crossings, narrower lanes, planter boxes or low-traffic canals.
