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Thursday, March 28, 2024

‘Historic’ few killed in traffic accidents

For the first time in more than 70 years, the number of annual traffic fatalities in Norway fell below 100 in 2020. A total of 95 people lost their lives in road accidents last year, 13 fewer than in 2019.

It’s also the first time since 1947, when few Norwegians had cars, that less than 100 people were killed on the road. Transport Minister Knut Arild Hareide called the number “historic” and claimed it reflected safer roads than ever before

Four-lane divided highways that have replaced many of Norway’s old two-lane roads have especially reduced the number of head-on accidents caused by impatient motorists passing others.  New cars are also equipped with far more safety features and drivers today are more experienced than they were in the 1960s, ‘70s and even the ‘80s.

The decline in fatal accidents was good news given the large increase in Norwegians who spent this year’s summer holidays driving around the country, after Corona virus containment measures restricted flying and trips abroad. The 95 killed are still 95 too many, according to Hareide, adding that “we still have a long way to go before the number is is zero.”

newsinenglish.no staff

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