Domestic
Suicide Prevention Signs Not Allowed on Merwede Bridge; Municipality Must Find New Locations
Rijkswaterstaat has denied permission to install 113 suicide prevention signs on the Merwede Bridge, citing concerns that they could distract motorists. Consequently, the municipality of Altena must identify alternative locations along adjacent bicycle paths in collaboration with Gorinchem and Stichting 113. This decision follows a March motion by the Altena municipal council to implement preventive measures after multiple suicide attempts at the site. While ProRail reports a 45% reduction in suicide attempts at railway locations with similar signage, road safety regulations prevent their placement on the bridge itself. If Rijkswaterstaat approves the proposed bicycle path locations, Altena intends to install the signs in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Ozetta summarises; the reporting is the newsroom's