Road safety is a critical social issue that affects all road users. In Norway, we have seen a significant reduction in the number of traffic accidents over the past decades, thanks to targeted work on accident prevention. However, there is still room for improvement, and new challenges are constantly arising in line with technological developments and changing traffic patterns. This article explores the most effective measures to prevent accidents on Norwegian roads, from infrastructural improvements to legislation and training.
Road Safety Measures in Road Infrastructure
Road infrastructure plays a crucial role in creating safe conditions for all road users. Modern road planning focuses on minimizing the risk of accidents through smart design and continuous maintenance. Let's take a closer look at some of the most effective infrastructural measures.
Median Barriers and Traffic Separation on National Roads
One of the most significant improvements in road design in recent years has been the implementation of median barriers on national roads. These physical barriers between opposing lanes have proven to be very effective in preventing head-on collisions, which are often the most serious accidents. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration reports that median barriers can reduce the number of fatal accidents by up to 80% on stretches where they are installed.
In addition to median barriers, traffic separation through dedicated lanes for different user groups has proven to be an effective measure. By separating cyclists and pedestrians from motorized traffic, the risk of conflicts between different types of road users is significantly reduced. This is particularly important in urban areas with high traffic density.
Implementation of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS)
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) represent the future of traffic management and accident prevention. These systems utilize advanced technology to monitor traffic in real-time, warn of potential hazards, and optimize traffic flow. Some examples of ITS solutions include:
- Variable speed limits that are adjusted according to weather and traffic conditions
- Automatic warning systems for congestion or accidents
- Real-time information on road conditions to drivers via digital signs or mobile applications
- Intelligent traffic light management to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow
The implementation of ITS has proven to have a significant positive effect on road safety. A study from the Institute of Transport Economics estimates that full-scale implementation of ITS in Norway could reduce the number of traffic accidents by up to 15%.
Upgrading of Road Surface and Friction-Enhancing Measures
The quality of the road surface is an often-overlooked but critical factor in road safety. Smooth, well-maintained roads with high friction reduce the risk of run-off-road accidents and loss of control, especially under challenging weather conditions. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration is constantly working to improve road surface standards through several measures:
Regular resurfacing and repair of holes and cracks are fundamental to maintaining good road quality. In addition, new technologies are constantly being implemented to improve friction, especially in curves and on stretches that are prone to slippery conditions. One example is the use of high-friction pavement, which can increase friction by up to 50% compared to standard asphalt.
Another innovative solution is the implementation of self-heating roads. This technology, which is being tested on some Norwegian road sections, uses solar energy or geothermal heat to keep the road surface free of ice and snow. This could potentially revolutionize winter operations and drastically reduce the number of accidents related to slippery winter roads.
Legislation and Enforcement for Road Safety
While infrastructural measures form the basis for safe roads, legislation and enforcement play an equally important role in shaping road users' behavior and ensuring compliance with traffic rules. Norway has long been a pioneer in road safety legislation, with an approach that combines strict rules with effective enforcement.
The Vision Zero in Norwegian Road Safety Policy
The Vision Zero, which was adopted by the Norwegian Parliament in 2001, has guided Norwegian road safety work for over two decades. This vision sets an ambitious goal of zero fatalities and serious injuries in traffic. Although the goal may seem utopian, it has led to a significant change in mentality in how we approach road safety.
The Vision Zero is not just a goal, but an ethical guide for all road safety work in Norway.
The implementation of the Vision Zero has led to a number of concrete measures, including stricter speed limits in built-up areas, increased focus on securing children in cars, and intensified work against impaired driving. The result has been a marked decrease in the number of traffic accidents, with a reduction of over 70% in the number of fatalities since the year 2000.
Automatic Traffic Control (ATC) and Section-ATC
Automatic Traffic Control (ATC), better known as speed cameras, has proven to be a very effective tool for reducing speeding and thus also serious accidents. Studies show that the installation of ATC can reduce the number of personal injury accidents by up to 20% on the relevant sections.
A further development of the ATC system is section-ATC, which measures the average speed over a longer stretch. This system has proven particularly effective in reducing speed on longer road stretches and in tunnels. Data from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration indicates that section-ATC can reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries by up to 50% on the monitored sections.
The implementation of ATC and section-ATC is not without controversy, and it is important to balance effective speed control with privacy concerns. However, experience so far shows that these systems are among the most cost-effective measures for reducing serious traffic accidents.
Blood Alcohol Limits and Drug Testing in Traffic
Norway has some of the world's strictest laws against driving under the influence. The blood alcohol limit of 0.2 ‰ is among the lowest internationally, and has contributed to a significant reduction in alcohol-related traffic accidents since it was introduced in 2001.
In addition to alcohol, there has been an increased focus on driving under the influence of other drugs in recent years. The introduction of zero tolerance for narcotics in traffic in 2012, together with the implementation of new, effective testing methods, has given the police better tools to combat this type of impaired driving.
Police efforts against impaired driving have been intensified, with increased use of mobile testing stations and targeted controls. This work has not only a direct effect by taking impaired drivers out of traffic, but also acts preventively by increasing the perceived risk of detection.
Vehicle Technology for Accident Prevention
Technological advances in the automotive industry have revolutionized our approach to road safety. Modern vehicles are equipped with a number of advanced systems designed to prevent accidents and minimize the extent of damage when accidents do occur. Let's explore some of the most promising technologies.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, or ADAS, represent a quantum leap in vehicle safety. These systems use a combination of sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to assist the driver and, in some cases, take control in critical situations. Some examples of ADAS technologies include:
- Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Lane Departure Warning and Lane Keeping Assist
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Driver Drowsiness Detection
Studies indicate that full-scale implementation of ADAS technologies could reduce the number of traffic accidents by up to 40%. Automatic emergency braking in particular has proven to be effective, with an estimated reduction of 38% in rear-end collisions.
It is worth noting that the effectiveness of ADAS systems depends on the driver's understanding and proper use of the technology. This underscores the importance of good training and information to motorists on how these systems work and their limitations.
The eCall System for Automatic Emergency Notification
eCall is an EU-initiated system for automatic emergency notification in the event of traffic accidents. The system, which became mandatory in all new car models in the EU and EEA from 2018, is automatically activated in the event of a serious collision and sends critical information to the emergency services, including the vehicle's exact position.
Although eCall does not directly prevent accidents, it can drastically reduce the response time of emergency services and thus potentially save lives. The European Commission estimates that eCall can reduce the number of traffic fatalities by up to 10% and the severity of injuries by 15%.
In Norway, with our long distances and many remote road stretches, eCall can be particularly valuable. The system ensures that help can arrive faster, even in places where it might otherwise take a long time to discover an accident.
Alcolock and Implementation in Commercial Transport
Alcolock is a technology that prevents the vehicle from starting if the driver has an alcohol concentration in exhaled air above a predefined limit. Although the technology has existed for decades, it has gained renewed relevance with the introduction of requirements for alcolocks in all new buses and minibuses in Norway from 2019.
The implementation of alcolocks in commercial transport is an important step towards eliminating alcohol-related accidents in this sector. Experiences from Sweden, which introduced similar requirements earlier, show a significant reduction in alcohol-related incidents in commercial transport.
There is now discussion about whether the requirement for alcolocks should be extended to other types of commercial vehicles, such as trucks and taxis. Some experts also argue that alcolocks should eventually become standard in all new vehicles, as part of the work towards the Vision Zero.
Traffic Education and Awareness-Raising Work
While technology and infrastructure play an important role in accident prevention, human behavior is still the most crucial factor in road safety work. Thorough training and continuous awareness-raising work are therefore essential to creating safe road users.
Step-by-Step Driver Training and Quantity Training
Norway has one of the world's most comprehensive systems for driver training. The step-by-step training, which was introduced in 2005, emphasizes gradual building of competence and risk understanding. The system consists of four stages:
- Basic traffic course
- Basic vehicle and driving competence
- Traffic part
- Final training
A central component of Norwegian driver training is the focus on quantity training. Research shows that new drivers who have driven a lot with a supervisor before the driving test have a significantly lower accident risk in the first years after they have obtained a driving license. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration recommends at least 140 hours of driving practice before the driving test.
The effect of the step-by-step training and quantity training has been noticeable. Since its introduction, the accident risk for young, new drivers has been reduced by over 30%.
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration's Campaigns Against Impaired Driving
Awareness-raising work is a continuous process that requires innovative approaches to reach different target groups. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has over the years carried out a number of campaigns specifically aimed at impaired driving, with the aim of changing attitudes and behavior.
One of the most high-profile campaigns is "Sei ifrå!" (Speak Up!), which encourages passengers to speak up if they experience that the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The campaign has been specifically targeted at young people and young adults, a group that is overrepresented in the statistics on impaired driving.
Another important campaign is "Kjør edru" (Drive Sober), which focuses on raising awareness of residual alcohol and the consequences of driving the day after. Through creative and often humorous communication, the campaign has succeeded in reaching a wide audience and creating discussion around the topic.
The effect of these campaigns is difficult to measure directly, but surveys show a general increase in awareness of the dangers of impaired driving, especially among young people. A study from the Institute of Transport Economics estimates that attitude campaigns, in combination with law enforcement, can reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic accidents by up to 15%.
Road Safety in Primary School: Children's Traffic Club
Creating good attitudes and road safety behavior starts already in childhood. The Children's Traffic Club, an initiative from Trygg Trafikk (Safe Traffic), has been a cornerstone of road safety education for children in Norway for over 50 years. The program is designed to teach children aged 3-8 years basic road safety in an engaging and age-appropriate way.
The Children's Traffic Club uses a combination of digital resources, activity booklets and practical exercises to convey important road safety messages. Topics covered include:
- Safe crossing of the road
- Understanding of traffic lights and signs
- The importance of reflector use
- Correct behavior as a passenger in a car
The program has proven to be effective in creating an early awareness of road safety. An evaluation carried out by SINTEF in 2018 showed that children who participated in the Children's Traffic Club had significantly better knowledge of road safety compared to a control group.
Winter Operations and Safety Measures for Nordic Conditions
Norway's geographical location and climate create unique challenges for road safety, especially in the winter months. Handling these challenges requires specialized approaches and technologies adapted to Nordic conditions.
Salting and Plowing: The Norwegian Public Roads Administration's Standards for Winter Operations
Effective winter operations are crucial for maintaining road safety under challenging weather conditions. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has developed detailed standards for winter operations, which define requirements for snow removal, salting and gritting on different road types.
Some key elements in the Norwegian Public Roads Administration's winter operations standards include:
- Differentiated requirements based on the importance of the road and traffic volume
- Maximum deadlines for when the road should be cleared after snowfall
- Specific requirements for friction level on the road surface
- Guidelines for the use of salt vs. sand under different conditions
The implementation of these standards has contributed to a significant reduction in winter-related traffic accidents. An analysis carried out by the Institute of Transport Economics shows that good winter operations can reduce the number of personal injury accidents by up to 30% under winter conditions.
Studded Tire Regulation and Environmental Speed Limits
The use of studded tires has long been a controversial topic in Norwegian road safety debate. While studded tires provide better grip on icy roads, they also contribute to increased wear on the road surface and the formation of health-damaging particulate matter in cities.
To balance the consideration of road safety and the environment, several Norwegian cities have introduced studded tire fees. This has led to a significant reduction in the use of studded tires, especially in urban areas. In Oslo, the proportion of cars with studded tires has fallen from over 50% in the 1990s to under 10% today.
As a compensating measure for reduced studded tire use, many cities have introduced environmental speed limits in the winter. These lower speed limits not only contribute to reduced air pollution, but have also proven to have a positive effect on road safety. A study from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration shows that environmental speed limits can reduce the number of personal injury accidents by up to 25% on the affected stretches.
Convoy Driving and Weather-Exposed Mountain Passes
Norway's topography, with many high mountain passes, creates special challenges for winter operations. To handle the most demanding stretches, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration has established a system for convoy driving.
Convoy driving involves traffic being led in organized groups led by a snowplow when weather conditions are too poor for normal travel. This system has proven to be very effective in reducing the number of serious incidents on weather-exposed mountain passes.
In addition to convoy driving, the Norwegian Public Roads Administration has implemented advanced warning systems to inform road users about weather and road conditions on mountain passes. This includes:
- Real-time updated webcams
- SMS notification of closures and convoy driving
- Digital information boards along the road
The combination of these measures has contributed to a marked reduction in the number of serious incidents on mountain passes. A report from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration shows that the number of rescue operations related to cars that have become stuck in the snow in the mountains has been reduced by over 60% since the introduction of the new warning system.