It’s summer holiday time in Norway, and thousands have hit the road on their way to holiday homes or other destinations. They’re also likely to wind up behind motor homes, tour buses and camping vans, and highway officials don’t want that to cause accidents.
“Many will think that they can just pass (larger, slower vehicles) on the road,” says Arve Tjønn Rinde of the state highway department Statens vegvesen. He warns, though, that Norwegian roads, especially in the mountains of Western Norway, can be windy with little overview of oncoming traffic.
“I caution everyone to think twice whether it’s really worth it to put yourself and others at great risk to pass other cars,” Rinde says. He notes that many drivers of large motor homes and tour buses “are guests in unfamiliar territory, and we know that can create some dangerous situations and irritation among Norwegian drivers.”
He urges all drivers “to show some understanding and patience with the tourists visiting us this summer. Try not to be so hasty.” He also suggests that women do more of the driving. Accident statistics show that men are overrepresented in fatal accidents: Of the 135 highway fatalities in Norway last year, 82 percent involved male drives aged 45 to 64.
newsinenglish.no staff