A method of driving an electrowetting display device including a display element, the display element having an electrode for applying a voltage and providing a display state in response to a signal level of the voltage, the display element including a first fluid and a second fluid immiscible with the first fluid, the second fluid being electroconductive or polar, characterised in that the method comprises the following subsequent steps within a display period (t1-t4) for providing and substantially maintaining the display state of the display element for the duration of the display period: applying, between a first signal line connected to the electrode and a second signal line connected to an electrode in contact with the second fluid, a first signal level for the duration of a first period (t1-t2), the first signal level being a voltage signal level for applying a non-zero voltage (Va) to the display element to change the display state of the display element to a final state with the first fluid at least partially contracted and with a transmission level (Ta), the first fluid tending to flow back during the first period from the final state to an inactive state with the first fluid forming a layer; resetting the display element by applying, between the first signal line and the second signal line, a second signal level different from the first signal level for the duration of a second period (t2-t3), the second signal level being a voltage signal level for applying a zero voltage to the display element for changing the display state towards the inactive state; and applying the first signal level, between the first signal line and the second signal line, for the duration of a third period (t3-t4); the first period being longer than 1 ms and the sum of the first period and the third period being longer than five times the second period, the first fluid tending to flow back during the first period from the final state to the inactive state during a relaxation time, the relaxation time being a time for the first fluid to flow back from the final state to a display state of the display element with a transmission of 90% of the transmission level (Ta), starting from applying of the first signal level between the first signal line and the second signal line, the first period being shorter than three times the relaxation time. applying, between a first signal line connected to the electrode and a second signal line connected to an electrode in contact with the second fluid, a first signal level for the duration of a first period (t1-t2), the first signal level being a voltage signal level for applying a non-zero voltage (Va) to the display element to change the display state of the display element to a final state with the first fluid at least partially contracted and with a transmission level (Ta), the first fluid tending to flow back during the first period from the final state to an inactive state with the first fluid forming a layer; resetting the display element by applying, between the first signal line and the second signal line, a second signal level different from the first signal level for the duration of a second period (t2-t3), the second signal level being a voltage signal level for applying a zero voltage to the display element for changing the display state towards the inactive state; and applying the first signal level, between the first signal line and the second signal line, for the duration of a third period (t3-t4); the first period being longer than 1 ms and the sum of the first period and the third period being longer than five times the second period, the first fluid tending to flow back during the first period from the final state to the inactive state during a relaxation time, the relaxation time being a time for the first fluid to flow back from the final state to a display state of the display element with a transmission of 90% of the transmission level (Ta), starting from applying of the first signal level between the first signal line and the second signal line, the first period being shorter than three times the relaxation time.