Thousands stripped of
their driving licenses
 Police in Norway have been handing out more speeding tickets, and yanking more licenses on the spot. PHOTO: OLAV URDAHL |
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Drivers in Norway are speeding more than ever before, and police are trying to crack down on the trend. Newspaper Aftenposten reported Monday that so far this year, police have taken away driving licenses from 3,644 motorists caught in speed traps or for reckless driving.
The police action comes in the midst of a bloody and deadly year on Norwegian roads. Debate has raged over who's at fault for a rising number of traffic fatalities -- the motorists themselves or the much-criticized condition of Norwegian highways.
Many politicians, including Norway's transport minister, blame the reckless drivers who take far too many risks and simply drive too fast for the condition of the road. Others blame the roads, most of which consist of just two lanes or no center line at all. Head-on collisions occur not least when impatient drivers try to pass slower motorists.
Citations issued for speeding offenses hit 33,068 during the first half of this year, up from 29,173 in the same period last year and 25,926 from January to July of 2006. That's an increase of 28 percent. The 3,644 driving licenses revoked by police on the spot for speeding, driving under the influence or recklessness compared to 2,759 licenses revoked in 2006.
Call for political action
Borghild Tenden, a member of the Norwegian Parliament for the Liberal Party, said there's been no debate in parliament on traffic safety since she won a seat three years ago. She thinks it's about time the issue was addressed.
"We must take it seriously that accidents are increasing," she told Aftenposten. Her party is calling for lower speed limits on roads where many accidents have occurred, more police on patrol, better drivers' education and more campaigns aimed at boosting awareness of traffic safety.
Some officials have proposed measures to make it easier to revoke licenses granted to young drivers, and to make their speeding tickets more expensive. Youth groups are already protesting, saying it's not fair that they all suffer because of others' recklessness. Varying sets of statistics, however, repeatedly confirm that young drivers are overrepresented in accidents and fatalities.
Nina Berglund
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