Slowing Down in Norway? Authorities Aim to Tackle High Number of Road Accident Fatalities
In Norway, excessive speed is the cause of around 30 fatal road accidents each year. In response, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration (Statens vegvesen) has proposed a new four-year national road safety strategy. Officials recommend implementing 177 measures.
The number of casualties on Norwegian roads increases year by year.
Fot. Bård Asle Nordbø, Statens vegvesen
The draft "Tiltaksplan for trafikksikkerhet" (Action Plan for Road Safety) outlines measures across 14 areas, including pedestrians and cyclists, motorcycles, children, the elderly, seatbelt use, distraction, alcohol, technology, and infrastructure. The plan was developed in cooperation with various institutions such as the police, the Health Directorate, and local governments, ensuring broad support and multi-stage implementation.
This is the seventh edition of Norway’s four-year road safety plan, reflecting the ongoing nature of the strategy. Government-level authorization and coordination are intended to guarantee consistency in the measures taken.
This is the seventh edition of Norway’s four-year road safety plan, reflecting the ongoing nature of the strategy. Government-level authorization and coordination are intended to guarantee consistency in the measures taken.
New Speed Limits in Norway?
Proposed measures include both adjusting speed limits to road conditions and actions to curb excessive speeding, such as traffic calming, increased controls, and educational campaigns. Infrastructure upgrades, improved conditions for pedestrians and cyclists, and safety-enhancing technologies are also listed.
Cooperation between administrative levels and sectors is intended to enable coordinated implementation of all 177 strategies. The plan is designed not only to prevent accidents but also to reduce their impact.
Cooperation between administrative levels and sectors is intended to enable coordinated implementation of all 177 strategies. The plan is designed not only to prevent accidents but also to reduce their impact.
Aiming to Reduce the Number of Victims
The strategy was designed with the goal set out in the national transport plan in mind. By 2030, the total number of fatalities and seriously injured should not exceed 350. The number of deaths from accidents is to be capped at 50—a figure nearly half the projected level for 2024.
Public consultations on the draft plan are open until December 31, giving citizens and organizations the opportunity to submit feedback.
Public consultations on the draft plan are open until December 31, giving citizens and organizations the opportunity to submit feedback.
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